Elgin Baylor

Elgin Baylor
Personal information
Born(1934-09-16)September 16, 1934
Washington, D.C.
DiedMarch 22, 2021(2021-03-22) (aged 86)
Los Angeles, California
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High schoolSpingarn (Washington, D.C.)
College
NBA draft1958 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall
Selected by the Minneapolis Lakers
Playing career1958–1971
PositionSmall forward
Number22
Career history
As player:
1958–1971Minneapolis / Los Angeles Lakers
As coach:
1974, 1976–1979New Orleans Jazz
Career highlights and awards
As player:

As executive:

Career statistics
Points23,149 (27.4 ppg)
Rebounds11,463 (13.5 rpg)
Assists3,650 (4.3 apg)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Basketball Hall of Fame as player
College Basketball Hall of Fame
Inducted in 2006

Elgin Gay Baylor (September 16, 1934 – March 22, 2021) was an American basketball player, coach, and executive. He played 13 seasons as a forward in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Baylor played for the Minneapolis / Los Angeles Lakers, appearing in eight NBA Finals. Baylor was a gifted shooter, strong rebounder, and an accomplished passer. Baylor was famous for his acrobatic moves on the court. He regularly dazzled Lakers fans with his trademark hanging jump shots. Baylor was the No. 1 draft pick in the 1958. He was NBA Rookie of the Year in 1959. Baylor was named an NBA All-Star 11 times. He is regarded as one of the game's all-time greatest players. In 1977, Baylor was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He wore number 22, which was retired by by the Lakers in 2018.

Early years

Baylor was born September 16, 1934 in Washington, DC. He attended high school at Washington, D.C.'s Springarn High. He was an All-American at Seattle University. In 1958 he led his team to the NCAA finals.

Professional career

In 1958 he was the number 1 overall in the NBA draft by the Minneapolis Lakers. The Lakers were struggling and on the verge of bankruptcy. Baylor was just what they needed and he led the team to the 1959 NBA Finals. On November 15, 1960 Baylor set a then NBA record. He scored 71 points and 25 rebounds in one game. This was while he was still on active duty with the United States Army. He could only play with the Lakers on weekends.

Baylor was 6-5 and weighed 225 pounds. He was strong and graceful on the court. During his 14-year career with the Minneapolis and Los Angeles Lakers Baylor averaged 27.4 points a game. He held an average of 13.5 rebounds per game. He averaged 27 points a game in 134 appearances in playoff games. Early in the 1970-71 season Baylor suffered a severe knee injury. He didn't return until the 1971-72 season playing only nine games before he retired. He was 37 years old.

Baylor spent 22 years as general manager of the Los Angeles Clippers. He won the NBA Executive of the Year Award in 2006. He was relieved of his duties shortly before the 2008–09 season began.

Death

Baylor died on March 22, 2021, at age 86 of natural causes in Los Angeles.

References

  1. ↑ "Elgin Baylor: Complete Bio". nba.com. Retrieved 2008-02-03.
  2. ↑ "Hall of Famers". Basketball Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 2011-02-15. Retrieved 2009-08-02.
  3. ↑ "NBA Players: Elgin Baylor Profile". landofbasketball.com. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  4. ↑ "#1 in Seattle University History - Elgin Baylor". Seattle University. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 "Elgin Baylor Biography". Bio/ A&E Television Networks, LLC. Archived from the original on 28 April 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 David Astramskas (16 September 2014). "ELGIN BAYLOR – MOST UNDERRATED PLAYER IN NBA HISTORY?". Ballislife.com. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Complete Bio". NBA.com. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  8. ↑ Clippers players shocked Baylor is out
  9. ↑ KSTP staff (March 22, 2021). "Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor dies at 86". kstp.com. Archived from the original on June 3, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2021.

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