Vern Mikkelsen
Inducted:
1995
Stats
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
230 lb (104 kg)
Born
October 21, 1928
Parlier, California, U.S.
Died
November 21, 2013
Wayzata, Minnesota, U.S.
Position
Power forward
College
Hamline (1945–1949)
Arild Verner Agerskov "Vern" Mikkelsen, often called "The Great Dane," was the iron-willed enforcer of the Minneapolis Lakers' dynasty. Standing 6'7" and weighing 230 lbs, Mikkelsen is widely credited as one of the NBA's first true power forwards. Initially a center at Hamline University, he successfully transitioned to the forward spot to play alongside George Mikan, forming a terrifying frontcourt that also featured Jim Pollard.
Mikkelsen was a model of durability and ruggedness, playing in 699 of a possible 704 games during his 10-season career. While he was a ferocious rebounder and an elite interior scorer—becoming just the sixth player in NBA history to reach 10,000 career points—he was also known for his physical toll on the game, holding the NBA record for most career disqualifications (127 fouling outs). He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995.
Mikkelsen's Awards and Records
- 4× NBA champion (1950, 1952–1954)
- 6× NBA All-Star (1951–1953, 1955–1957)
- 4× All-NBA Second Team (1951–1953, 1955)
- 19 honored by Los Angeles Lakers
- Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame (2006)
- NAIA National Champion (1949)
NBA Teams
Minneapolis Lakers (1949–1959)
BAA draft
1949: territorial pick
Minneapolis Lakers
Number Worn
19
NBA Stats
Seasons:
10 (1949–1959)
Games Played:
699
Points:
10,063 (14.4 ppg)
Rebounds:
5,940 (9.4 rpg)
Assists:
1,515 (2.2 apg)
Field Goal %:
40.3%
Points per game:
14.4
NBA Championships:
4 (1950, 1952, 1953, 1954)
All-Star Selections:
6 (1951–1953, 1955–1957)
All-NBA Second Team:
4 (1951–1953, 1955)