He jumped to the American Basketball Association (ABA) in 1967, and played two seasons there with the Denver Rockets, Houston Mavericks, Minnesota Pipers, and New York Nets.

Known for his bruising, brawling play, Hoover often was cast in an enforcer role as one of the bad boys of pro basketball.

With former NFL player Lane Howell, he ran an employment program for teenagers in New York City.

Afterward, he turned to the entertainment industry, and worked as a road manager for Richard Pryor, The Spinners and Natalie Cole.

He had a brief career acting in television commercials, then channeled his interest in boxing into a job with the New York State Athletic Commission.