“Nate the Great” Thurmond was named as one of the 50 greatest basketball players in NBA history and was enshrined in the NBA Hall of Fame on July 1, 1985.  The 6’11” basketball superstar played for Bowling Green and was drafted by the San Francisco Warriors, where he was an aggressive rebounder and shot blocker who still holds the record for rebounds in a quarter (18)and was the first player in NBA history to record a “quadruple double”.  After an illustrious basketball career, Nate returned to San Francisco where he opened a classic Bay area restaurant, Big Nate’s BBQ.  Nate is also a huge fan of tennis and became hooked on the sport in 1976 when Bjorn Borg started his run at five consecutive Wimbledon titles.  “I admired Borg - and to me, he really epitomized the sport of tennis.  He had great skills and focus and just went about his business, point after point, not being affected by things he could not control.  I would often set my alarm clock to get up in the middle of the night to watch his matches, and I loved the sport ever since.  I’m also a big fan of the electronic eye to verify in and out shots.  High speed is a big part of the game.  Of course I can serve up a fine plate of BBQ - but I always wished I could nail a serve like Federer!”  The SF Tennis Coalition is proud that Nate the Great loves tennis and is a part of the Bay area tennis community.  Congratulations to Nate Thurmond for being San Francisco’s Tennis Player of the Week!