Bailey Howell
Inducted:
1997
Player Stats
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
Born
January 20, 1937
Middleton, Tennessee, U.S.
Position
Small forward
Power forward
College
Mississippi State (1956–1959)
Bailey "Buckshot" Howell was one of the most rugged and efficient forwards of the 1960s. Standing 6'7" with a relentless motor, Howell was a master of the "garbage goal," thriving on second-effort putbacks and a lethal hook shot. After a legendary collegiate career at Mississippi State, he was selected No. 2 overall in the 1959 NBA Draft. Howell began his career as a high-volume star for the Detroit Pistons, averaging over 20 points and 10 rebounds for four consecutive seasons.
However, his greatest team success came later as a vital piece of the Boston Celtics dynasty. Joining the Celtics in 1966, Howell provided the veteran toughness and scoring punch needed to help Bill Russell and John Havlicek secure the 1968 and 1969 NBA championships. A six-time All-Star who retired as one of the top ten scorers in league history at the time, Howell was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997.
Howell's Awards and Records
- Consensus first-team All-American (1959)
- Consensus second-team All-American (1958)
- 3× First-team All-SEC (1957, 1958, 1959)
- Led Detroit in scoring and rebounding multiple seasons
- Key contributor to championship Celtics teams
- One of the most consistent forwards of the 1960s
NBA Records
- 2× NBA champion (1968, 1969)
- 6× NBA All-Star (1961–1964, 1966, 1967)
- All-NBA Second Team (1963)
NBA Teams
Detroit Pistons (1959–1964)
Baltimore Bullets (1964–1966)
Boston Celtics (1966–1970)
Philadelphia 76ers (1970–1971)
NBA Draft
1959: 1st round, 2nd overall pick
Detroit Pistons
Number Worn
52, 18, 15, 16
NBA Stats
Season:
12 (1959-1971)
Games Played:
950
Points:
17,770 (18.7 ppg)
Rebounds:
9,383 (9.9 rpg)
Assists:
1,853 (1.9 apg)
Field Goal %:
48.0%
Free Throw %:
76.2%
Point Per Game:
18.7
NBA Championships:
2 (1968, 1969)
All-Star Selections:
6 (1961–1964, 1966, 1967)