George Mikan
Mikan in 1945
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born |
June 18, 1924 Joliet, Illinois |
| Died | June 1, 2005 (aged 80) Scottsdale, Arizona |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Listed weight | 245 lb (111 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Joliet Catholic (Joliet, Illinois) |
| College | DePaul (1942–1946) |
| Playing career | 1946–1956 |
| Position | Center |
| Number | 99 |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1946–1947 | Chicago American Gears |
| 1947–1954, 1956 | Minneapolis Lakers |
| As coach: | |
| 1957–1958 | Minneapolis Lakers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career BAA/NBA statistics | |
| Points | 11,764 (22.6 ppg) (NBL/BAA/NBA) 10,156 (23.1 ppg) (BAA/NBA) |
| Rebounds | 4,167 (13.4 rpg) (NBA last five seasons) |
| Assists | 1,245 (2.8 apg) (BAA/NBA) |
| Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
| Basketball Hall of Fame as player | |
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College Basketball Hall of Fame Inducted in 2006 |
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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). Invariably playing with thick, round spectacles, the 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m), 245 pounds (111 kg) Mikan is seen as one of the pioneers of professional basketball, redefining it as a game of so-called big men with his prolific rebounding, shot blocking, and his talent to shoot over smaller defenders with his ambidextrous hook shot, the result of his namesake Mikan Drill.
Mikan had a successful playing career, winning seven NBL, BAA, and NBA championships, an NBA All-Star Game MVP trophy, and three scoring titles. He was a member of the first four NBA All-Star games, and the first six All-BAA and All-NBA Teams. Mikan was so dominant that he caused several rule changes in the NBA: among them, the introduction of the goaltending rule, the widening of the foul lane—known as the "Mikan Rule"—and the creation of the shot clock.
After his playing career, Mikan became one of the founders of the American Basketball Association (ABA), serving as commissioner of the league. He was also vital for the forming of the Minnesota Timberwolves. In his later years, Mikan was involved in a long-standing legal battle against the NBA, fighting to increase the meager pensions for players who had retired before the league became lucrative. In 2005, Mikan died after a long battle with diabetes.
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Wikipedia