George Mikan Hall of Fame NBA

George Mikan was the NBA’s first dominant big man and one of the most influential players in basketball history. A 6-foot-10 center, Mikan starred at DePaul University before beginning his professional career with the Chicago American Gears and Minneapolis Lakers. He led the Lakers to five championships in the NBA and its predecessor leagues, including the first NBA championship in 1950.

Mikan was a dominant scorer and rebounder, using his size and ambidextrous shooting ability to control the paint. He led the NBL in scoring three times and the NBA twice, while also earning six All-League selections and four All-Star appearances. His dominance helped prompt major rule changes, including widening the lane and introducing the 24-second shot clock.

Mikan retired in 1956 as the NBA's first great superstar and finished his NBA career averaging 23.1 points and 13.4 rebounds per game. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959 as a player.

Mikan's Awards and Honors

• NBA's first major superstar and dominant interior force
• Led the NBA in scoring in each of its first two seasons
• Helped the Lakers win five championships in six seasons across the NBL, BAA, and NBA
• Greatest basketball player of the first half of the 20th century

NBA/BAA Records

• 5× BAA/NBA champion (1949, 1950, 1952–1954)
• 2× NBL champion (1947, 1948)
• NBL Most Valuable Player (1948)
• 4× NBA All-Star (1951–1954)
• NBA All-Star Game MVP (1953)
• NBL scoring champion (1948)
• 3× NBA scoring champion (1949–1951)

NBA Teams

Minneapolis Lakers (1948-1956)