Who Was the First NBA Hall of Famer?

In this blog post, we take a look at who was the first NBA Hall of Famer. We’ll also explore some of the other greats who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame over the years.

George Mikan

Born in Joliet, Illinois

George Mikan was born in Joliet, Illinois, on June 18, 1924. He was one of seven children in a family of Croatian descent. Growing up, he loved sports and played football, baseball, and swim competitively. He also developed a love for basketball, which would eventually lead to his becoming one of the game’s biggest stars.

Mikan began his college basketball career at DePaul University in Chicago. He quickly made a name for himself as an unstoppable force on the court. In his first season, he set a school record with 28 points in a game. He also led the team to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) championship game, where they lost to Rhode Island.

Mikan’s basketball skills caught the attention of professionals and he was drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers of the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1947. He helped the team win the NBL championship in his rookie year and was named the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). When the NBL merged with the Basketball Association of America (BAA) to form the NBA, Mikan became one of its first superstars.

During his time with the Lakers, Mikan led the team to five NBA championships. He was also named MVP three times and was selected to eight All-Star teams. His success on the court made him one of basketball’s first true superstars and helped increase popularity of the sport across America.

After retirement from playing professional basketball, Mikan served as head coach for two teams: The Chicago Zephyrs (now known as the Washington Wizards) and The Buffalo Braves (now known as The Los Angeles Clippers). In 1959, he was inducted into The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, making him the sport’s first Hall of Fame inductee. Mikan passed away on June 1, 2005, at age 80.

Played for the Minneapolis Lakers

George Lawrence Mikan Jr. (June 18, 1924 – June 1, 2005), nicknamed Mr. Basketball, was an American professional basketball player for the Chicago American Gears of the National Basketball League (NBL) and the Minneapolis Lakers of the NBL, the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played in an era where big men who could shoot from outside were rare, as was a style of play where a big man took control of the entire offense. He is credited with introducing and popularizing a number of rule changes that benefited players in his position, including allowing them to score on offensive rebounds, as well as initiating the prohibition against goaltending.

Mikan was born in Joliet, Illinois. As a boy of Yugoslav immigrant parents living in Chicago’s Marycrest neighborhood he grew up hearing about another Yugoslavia-born immigrant player who had become one of America’s greatest sports stars: Babe Ruth. He played organized basketball for DePaul University and won championships with three different professional teams: the NBL Chicago American Gears in 1947; BAA Minneapolis Lakers in 1949 and 1950; and NBA Minneapolis Lakers 1950–1954, 1956.

Mikan retired from professional basketball after ten years due to injuries that limited his play near the end of his career and because he felt he had nothing left to accomplish in the game. In his later years he served as head coach for several teams: St. Cloud State University (1959–60), Trinity Catholic High School in River Forest, Illinois (1960–62), DePaul again (1964–65) despite not having graduated himself, Chicago College All-Stars (1966), Los Angeles Stars of the ABA during part of the 1968–69 season entities which included former DePaul teammates Ernie Prichett and George Kaftan. Later he was an executive vice president with The Sweetheart Cup Company while also serving on several NCAA Division I men’s basketball committees including chairing both their legislative services group as well as their officiating program during his tenure on each committee respectively.

Averaged 22.6 points per game

George Mikan was a 6-foot-10 center who was the dominant player of his era. He helped lead the Minneapolis Lakers to five NBA championships in the 1950s. A three-time NCAA All-American, Mikan was the first player to be voted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Mikan began his professional career in 1947 with the Chicago American Gears of the National Basketball League. He averaged 22.6 points per game and led the Gears to the NBL championship. In 1948, Mikan averaged 28.3 points per game and led the Gears to another NBL title.

In 1949, Mikan joined the Minneapolis Lakers of the newly formed NBA. He averaged 21.9 points per game in his first season with the Lakers and helped lead them to their first NBA championship. Mikan averaged 28.4 points per game in 1950-51 and led the Lakers to their second NBA title. He won his third straight scoring title in 1951-52, averaging 27.4 points per game. The Lakers won their third NBA championship in 1952-53, with Mikan averaging 26.1 points per game.

Mikan’s scoring average dipped to 24.9 points per game in 1953-54, but he was still named first-team All-NBA for the fifth consecutive season. The Lakers won their fourth NBA title in 1954-55, with Mikan averaging 20.6 points per game. He retired after appearing in just 24 games during the 1955-56 season due to injuries and illness.

Bob Cousy

Bob Cousy was the first player to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959. He was a 13-time All-Star and a 12-time All-NBA selection. He was also the first player to be named MVP of the NBA All-Star Game. Cousy was one of the most talented and popular players of his era.

Born in New York City

Robert Joseph “Bob” Cousy was born on August 9, 1928, in New York City. His father, Joseph Edward Cousy, was an immigrant from Brittany, France; his mother, Alta Jane Couliez, was a first-generation Irish American. Cousy grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn and later Queens. He attended Andrew Jackson High School in St Albans, New York.

Played for the Boston Celtics

Widely considered one of the best point guards of all time–and one of the game’s first superstars–Cousy played for the Boston Celtics from 1950 to 1963. A prototypical playmaker, the 6-foot-1-inch Cousy was known for his remarkable ball-handling skills and creativity. He led the league in assists eight times between 1957 and 1963 and was named NBA MVP in 1957. Cousy retired as the NBA’s all-time leader in assists (now ranks fifth). He was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1971.

Averaged 18.4 points per game

In his thirteen seasons with the Boston Celtics, Cousy was an All-Star ten times, was voted the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 1957, and won six championships with the team. He also holds numerous NBA records, including most points in a quarter (29), most assists in a quarter (11), and most assists in a half (16).

Bill Russell

Bill Russell was the first African American player to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He is also a 12-time NBA All-Star and a 5-time NBA MVP. Bill Russell was an excellent shot blocker and rebounder. He helped lead the Boston Celtics to 11 NBA championships.

Born in Monroe, Louisiana

On February 12, 1934, Bill Russell was born in Monroe, Louisiana. The second of three children, Bill was raised primarily by his mother after his father died when he was just nine years old. His mother worked hard to instill the importance of education in her children, and Bill excelled in school. He also showed an early interest in basketball, and by the time he was in high school, he was already 6’10” tall!

Because of his height, Bill was recruited to play basketball for several colleges. He eventually chose to attend the University of San Francisco, where he became one of the best players in the country. In 1955, he helped lead his team to victory in the NCAA championship game. That same year, he was named NCAA Player of the Year.

Played for the Boston Celtics

Bill Russell is a retired American basketball player. He played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. A five-time NBA Most Valuable Player and a twelve-time All-Star, he was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty, winning eleven NBA championships during his thirteen-year career. Russell and Henri Richard of the Montreal Canadiens are tied for the record of the most championships won by an athlete in a North American sports league.

Averaged 15.1 points per game

Bill Russell is a retired American professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. A five-time NBA Most Valuable Player and a twelve-time All-Star, he was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won eleven NBA championships during his thirteen-year career. Russell and Henri Richard of the Montreal Canadiens are tied as the only athletes in North American professional sports history to win championships in two different leagues four times each.

Wilt Chamberlain

Wilt Chamberlain was an American basketball player who played for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was a 7-foot-1-inch (2.16 m) tall center and is considered one of the greatest and most influential basketball players of all time.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Wilt Chamberlain was born on August 21, 1936, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was one of nine children in a family of athletes. His father played semiprofessional baseball, and his brothers played football and basketball in high school and college. When Chamberlain was just a toddler, his family moved to Overbrook Park, a predominantly African American section of west Philadelphia. There he attended public schools, where he excelled in baseball, track and field, and—of course—basketball. He also took up boxing and swimming.

Played for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Los Angeles Lakers

Wilt Chamberlain was an American basketball player who played for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Los Angeles Lakers. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1978, and is considered one of the greatest players in NBA history.

Averaged 30.1 points per game

Wilt Chamberlain was an American professional basketball player who played center for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers, and the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played for the Warriors from1959 to 1962 and for the Sixers from 1962 to 1968. He ranks as one of the greatest and most durable players in NBA history, playing in 1,045 of a possible 1,055 games during his 15-year career, an average of 34.7 minutes per game.