Wes Unseld
Inducted:
1988
Player Stats
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
245 lb (111 kg)
Born
March 14, 1946
Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Died
June 2, 2020
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Position
Center
College
Louisville (1965–1968)
Wes Unseld was one of the most impactful centers in NBA history, known for his strength, rebounding, and leadership with the Baltimore Bullets / Washington Bullets franchise. Drafted second overall in 1968, Unseld made an immediate mark by winning both NBA Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player honors in the same season — a rare achievement.
Though not a high-volume scorer, Unseld dominated the boards and revolutionized the outlet pass, igniting fast breaks with his pinpoint long passes. His physical presence and selfless play anchored the Bullets throughout the 1970s.
Unseld led Washington to four NBA Finals appearances, capturing the 1978 NBA Championship and earning Finals MVP honors. Over 13 seasons, he averaged 10.8 points and 14.0 rebounds per game. Unseld was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1988.
Unseld's Awards & Records
- 2× Consensus first-team All-American (1967, 1968)
- 3× First-team All-MVC (1966–1968)
- 31 retired by Louisville Cardinals
- First-team Parade All-American (1964)
- 41 retired by Washington Wizards
- Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award (1975)
NBA Records
- NBA champion (1978)
- NBA Finals MVP (1978)
- NBA Most Valuable Player (1969)
- 5× NBA All-Star (1969, 1971–1973, 1975)
- All-NBA First Team (1969)
- NBA Rookie of the Year (1969)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (1969)
- NBA rebounding leader (1975)
NBA Teams
Baltimore / Capital / Washington Bullets (1968–1981)
NBA Draft
1968: 1st round, 2nd overall pick
Baltimore Bullets
Number Worn
41
NBA Stats
Seasons:
13 (1968–1981)
Games Played:
984
Points:
10,624 (10.8 ppg)
Rebounds:
13,769 (14.0 rpg)
Assists:
3,822 (3.9 apg)
Steal:
628 (1.1 spg)
Blocks:
367 (0.6 bpg)
Field Goal(%):
50.9%
Free Throw(%):
63.3%