Super Fan!

Former Pacer Billy Keller Stops in to 'Talk Shop' with Leona Slough

Published by the Hendricks County Flyer February 13, 2009

By Brenda L. Holmes

INDIANAPOLIS: Leona Slough and Billy Keller recently had an opportunity to talk about something they’re both passionate about: the Indiana Pacers.

Keller, a former Pacer and ABA player, visited Slough, 90, at The Harrison as part of the Never Too Late program.

Former Pacers player Billy Keller stopped in to see Leona Slough, a resident of The Harrison.  BRENDA L. HOLMES/FLYER PHOTO

“This was just a joy,” Keller said. “I’m happy we got to meet today and you have to promise to keep supporting the Pacers.”

“Oh, I will,” Slough said. “That’s going to happen.”

Keller played for the Pacers from 1969-76 when Indiana was still in the ABA league. He’s an Indiana native who graduated from George Washington Community High School. He was named Indiana’s Mr. Basketball his senior year.

He now works as director of player development for the Pacers.

“I work with mostly the younger players,” Keller said. “I work with them on their shooting and some foot work.”

He said he was contacted to meet Slough through the Never Too Late program, which works to grant the wishes of senior citizens.

Slough said she is a long-time basketball fan.

“My brother played basketball in school and I loved to watch,” she said. “I will tell you about the first time I played basketball. We had to wear these really big pants. I think I was in the seventh grade. The first time I played, my pants fell down as I ran. My coach said that was not good.”

Keller asked her if she remembered watching him play and she replied, “Oh, yes.”

She said she’s been a Pacers fan since the team first started. Any time she isn’t able to stay awake late enough to watch the games, she said she makes sure to read about them in the newspaper the next day.

Jo Ann Moore, sales director for The Harrison, added, “She always grabs the sports section first. And her favorite player is Danny Granger.”

Keller visited with Slough for about an hour, talking about his experiences in the ABA and now as an NBA coach. He is being call the Pacers’ new “shot doctor.”

“The first time I worked with Roy Hibbert, who is 7 foot 2, I had some real problems,” said Keller, who stands at 5’10”. “I figured out I had to stand on a chair to be able to see him eye to eye. I needed him to be able to see how I wanted him to shoot.”

Keller told Slough he’s very proud to once again be a part of the Pacers.

“The players we have now are really good people,” Keller said. “The Pacers have had some problems, but they’re gone now. We really want these new younger players to get involved in the community.”

He joked that he’d like to see Slough’s jump shot because the team might need her to come off the bench.

Slough laughed and said she’s just fine watching the games from her favorite chair.

“I think I’ll stay right here,” she said.

The Pacers organization sent several gifts to Slough including a stuffed monkey, a coffee mug, a Danny Granger All-star T-shirt and a blanket.

“I will put that to use right here on my lap,” she said of the blanket.

Keller thanked Slough for the visit and told her he would tell Granger he got to meet one of his biggest fans.

“I think that will be just wonderful,” Slough said.