Mount Clemens in Macomb County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Joe Kopicki
Photographed by Joel Seewald, March 16, 2020
1. Joe Kopicki Marker
The only Macomb County Native to play in the National Basketball Association (as of 2012) and considered the county's best ever. Joe began his basketball career at Warren Fitzgerald High School, where he once scored 51 points in a single game, still a Macomb County record. He was named to the First Team Class A-All State squad and his number 34 has since been retired by his high school alma mater.
Continuing his eduation and his hardwood success in college, Joe went on to play four strong years at the University of Detroit, where he scored an impressive 1,410 points and hauled in 771 rebounds during his U-D career. His point and rebound totals ranked in the schools [sic] top ten All-Time when he graduated in 1982 and earned him induction into the Detroit Titans Hall of Fame in 2010.
Joe was drafted in the third round of the 1982 NBA Draft and went on to play three seasons with the Washington Bullets and Denver Nuggets, before optin for European pro ball. Overseas he starred for four years in Italy and another four years in Spain. While playing in Europe, Joe was named the Spanish League's MVP in 1986-87 season.
After his playing career, Joe returned to his alma mater as head basketball coach at Warren Fitzgerald High School.
"I'm very proud to be back in Warren and for having the opportunity
this page online
Joe was honored by the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame in 2011 and inducted into the Macomb County Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.
Joe Kopicki (31) is shown here scoring over Philadelphia 76'er great Julius "Dr. J" Erving.
Erected by Macomb Health and Fitness Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1982.
Location. 42° 35.863′ N, 82° 52.635′ W. Marker is in Mount Clemens, Michigan, in Macomb County. It is on North Main Street north of Macomb Place, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 40 North Main Street, Mount Clemens MI 48043, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan and in Greater Detroit. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: John DiGiorgio (here, next to this marker); Six-Pounder Replica (here, next to this marker); Alexander Macomb (here, next to this marker); Mount Clemens Pottery (a few steps from this marker); Alexander Macomb Bicentennial Memorial (a few steps from this marker); The Old Crowd (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Alexander Macomb
Photographed by Joel Seewald, March 16, 2020
2. Joe Kopicki Marker
This marker is the bronze plaque on the right.
Photographed by Joel Seewald, March 16, 2020
3. Joe Kopicki Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 22, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 710 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 22, 2020, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
