Search by the First Name of the HOFers
Earl Lloyd
Inducted:
2003
Stats
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
Born
April 3, 1928
Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.
Died
February 26, 2015
Crossville, Tennessee, U.S.
Position
Contributor
College
West Virginia State (1946–1950)
Earl "The Big Cat" Lloyd was a towering figure in basketball history, not just for his 6'5" frame, but for the immense barrier he shattered. On October 31, 1950, playing for the Washington Capitols, Lloyd became the first African American to play in an NBA game. While others like Chuck Cooper and Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton were drafted or signed in the same period, the schedule dictated that Lloyd was the first to step onto the court, forever changing the trajectory of professional sports.
Lloyd was far more than a historical footnote; he was a rugged, defensive-minded power forward who played nine seasons in the league. His greatest team success came with the Syracuse Nationals, where he and teammate Jim Tucker became the first Black players to win an NBA Championship in 1955. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.
Lloyd's Awards and Records
- NBA Champion (1955 - Syracuse Nationals)
- CIAA Player of the Decade (1940s)
- NAIA Silver and Golden Anniversary Teams
- Inaugural “Legends of Black History” Sports Award (2001)
- Congressional Resolution in his honor (2008)
- 11 Retired by West Virginia State University
NBA Team
As Player
Washington Capitols (1950–1951)
Syracuse Nationals (1952–1958)
Detroit Pistons (1958–1960)
As Coach
Detroit Pistons (1971–1972)
Louisiana Tech (1985–2002)
NBA Stats
Seasons coached:
20
Overall Record:
576–87 (.869)
NCAA Championships:
1 (1988)
Final Four Appearances:
9
National Title Games:
5
30-Win Seasons:
13
Conference Titles:
13 Regular Season / 12 Tournament
Earl Monroe
Inducted:
1990
Player Stats
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
Born
November 21, 1944
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Position
Shooting guard
Point guard
College
Winston-Salem State (1963–1967)
Earl “The Pearl” Monroe was one of the most electrifying guards in NBA history, known for his dazzling ball-handling, creativity, and playground style. Drafted second overall in 1967 by the Baltimore Bullets, Monroe quickly became one of the league’s most prolific scorers, earning Rookie of the Year honors and multiple All-Star selections.
After being traded to the New York Knicks in 1971, Monroe formed a dynamic backcourt partnership with Walt Frazier. He helped lead the Knicks to the 1973 NBA championship, blending flair with clutch scoring.
Monroe’s improvisational style influenced generations of guards and helped bridge street basketball creativity with professional play. Over his 13-season career (including ABA time), he averaged 18.8 points per game and became one of the sport’s most entertaining performers. Monroe was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1990.
Monroe's Awards and Records
- NBA champion (1973)
- 4× NBA All-Star (1969, 1971, 1975, 1977)
- All-NBA First Team (1969)
- NBA Rookie of the Year (1968)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (1968)
- NBA anniversary team (50th, 75th)
NBA Teams
Baltimore Bullets (1967–1971)
New York Knicks (1971–1980)
NBA Draft
1967: 1st round, 2nd overall pick
Baltimore Bullets
Number Worn
33, 10, 15
NBA Stats
Seasons Played:
13 (1967-1980)
Game Played:
926
Points:
17,454 (18.8 ppg)
Rebounds:
2,796 (3.0 rpg)
Assists:
3,594 (3.9 apg)
Steals:
473 (1.0 spg)
Blocks:
121 (0.3 bpg)
Field Goal %:
46.4%
Free Throw %:
80.7%
Earl Strom
Inducted:
1995
Stats
Born
December 15, 1927
Pottstown, Pennsylvania, US
Died
July 10, 1994
Pottstown, Pennsylvania, US
Position
NFL Referee
College
NA
Earl "Yogi" Strom is widely regarded as the greatest official in the history of professional basketball. Known for his flamboyant style, unwavering integrity, and "tweet-pause-tweet-tweet" whistle rhythm, Strom was a dominant presence on the court for over three decades. Strom was a bridge between the NBA’s early days and its global explosion. He officiated the first and last matchups between Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell, and he was the referee of choice for almost every critical Game 7 during the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. His career spanned the NBA and the ABA, where he was one of the first major "leaps" during the 1969 officiating raid. Flamboyant, fearless, and famously cantankerous, he was the first referee ever inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995.
Strom's Awards and Records
- International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame (2008)
- Ranked #1 NBA Official (USA Today Poll, 1990)
- The "Pied Piper" of Referees (Nickname for his rhythmic whistle)
- "Road Ref" of the Century (Highest road-team win percentage)
- Officiated 29 NBA and ABA Finals and 295 total playoff games
- Officiated 7 NBA All Star Games
NBA Teams
NBA referee (1957–1969; 1973–1990)
NBA Stats
Seasons Officiated:
32 (29 NBA, 3 ABA)
Regular Season Games:
2,400
Playoff Games:
295
NBA/ABA Finals Series:
29
All-Star Games:
7
Eddie Sutton
Inducted:
2020
Player Stats
Born:
March 12, 1936
Bucklin, Kansas, U.S.
Died:
May 23, 2020
Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
Position:
Coach
College:
Oklahoma State University
Eddie Sutton (March 12, 1936 – May 23, 2020) was a transformative college basketball coach whose impact spanned nearly four decades. A standout player at Oklahoma A&M under Hank Iba, he launched his coaching career in 1958 and rose from Tulsa Central High to junior college, then to Creighton, Arkansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma State, and finally San Francisco. Sutton became the first coach ever to lead four different Division I programs to the NCAA Tournament, and tallied 806 career wins, ranking him in the top ten all-time.
His Razorbacks guided Arkansas to the 1978 Final Four, and he returned his alma mater, OSU, to the Final Four twice (1995, 2004), along with multiple NCAA appearances and conference titles. A four-time National Coach of the Year, eight-time conference coach of the year, and mentor to NBA players, he left a legacy of resilience, loyalty, and excellence. In 2020, Sutton was posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame—a fitting capstone to a legendary career .
Sutton's Awards
- 2× AP College Coach of the Year (1978, 1986)
- NABC Coach of the Year (1986)
- Henry Iba Award (1977)
- 4× SWC Coach of the Year (1975, 1977, 1979, 1981)
- SEC Coach of the Year (1986)
- Big Eight Coach of the Year (1993)
- 2× Big 12 Coach of the Year (1998, 2004)
NBA Records
- First coach in NCAA Division I history to take four different schools to the NCAA Tournament
- Only coach to lead both Arkansas and Oklahoma State to the Final Four
- Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020
- NCAA Coach of the Year in 1978 and 1986
College Teams
As Coach
Oklahoma State (assistant) 1958–1959
Tulsa Central HS 1959–1966
College of Southern Idaho 1966–1969
Creighton 1969–1974
Arkansas 1974–1985
Kentucky 1985–1989
Oklahoma State 1990–2006
San Francisco (interim) 2007–2008
College Stats
As Coach
Career Wins–Losses
806–329
Winning Percentage
.710
Division I Seasons
37
NCAA Tournament Appearances
26
Final Four Appearances
3
Conference Titles
17
National Coach of the Year:
04 times
Conference Coach of the Year:
08 times
Edward Steitz
Inducted:
1984
Stats
Born
November 7, 1920
Brooklyn, New York
Died
May 21, 1990
Position
Secretary/Editor
College
NA
Edward Steitz was a key figure in shaping modern basketball rules and international competition. Although he was not an NBA player or coach, his influence extended to all levels of the sport, including the professional game. Steitz served as the Secretary-General of the United States Olympic Basketball Committee for more than 40 years, helping guide American teams to consistent international success.
He played an important role in standardizing rules between FIBA and American basketball, which strengthened global competition and improved the structure of the game. His leadership and administrative work left a lasting mark on basketball’s growth worldwide. In recognition of his contributions, Edward Steitz was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984.
Steitz's Awards & Records
- FIBA Hall of Fame (Inducted 2007)
- Founder of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1959)
- Conducted over 1,000 rules clinics in dozens of countries to standardize the game globally
- Longtime Secretary-General, U.S. Olympic Basketball Committee
- Major contributor to international rule development
NBA Position
Editor (NCAA Basketball Rules Committee)
NBA Stats
Years as Editor:
1965-1990
Articles Authored:
More than 300
Edwin Henderson
Inducted:
2013
Personal Stats:
5 ft 6 in (1.68 m,60kg)
Born:
November 24, 1883
Washington, D.C., US
Died:
February 3, 1977
Tuskegee, Alabama, US
Position:
Contributor
College:
NA
Edwin Bancroft Henderson (1883–1977), often called the “Father of Black Basketball,” was a pioneering educator, coach, and civil rights advocate whose influence shaped the growth of the sport among African Americans. In the early 1900s, Henderson introduced basketball to African American communities in Washington, D.C., after learning the game at Harvard University’s summer program. He organized and coached teams, created leagues, and promoted basketball as a tool for education, discipline, and community pride.
Henderson also authored influential books and articles on physical education and the benefits of organized sports, helping to open doors for African American athletes in competitive basketball. His work laid the foundation for future generations of players, coaches, and leaders, fostering both athletic opportunity and social progress. Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013, Henderson’s legacy extends beyond the court, as he used the game to inspire achievement, break barriers, and promote equality.
Henderson's Awards & Records:
- Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee (2013)
- Known as the “Father of Black Basketball”
- Founder of early African American basketball leagues
- Advocate for physical education in public schools
Notable Achievements:
- Introduced basketball to African American communities in Washington, D.C.
- Established organized competition for Black athletes in the early 20th century
- Influential writer and educator promoting equality through sports
- Paved the way for African American participation in competitive basketball
NBA Position:
Educator
Coach
Civil Rights Advocate
Career Stats:
Years active:
1904–1950s
Leagues Founded:
- Inter-Scholastic Athletic Association of the Middle Atlantic States
- Washington 12th Street YMCA Basketball League
- Eastern Board of Officials
- Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Elvin Hayes
Inducted:
1990
Player Stats
6 ft 9 in (206 cm)
235 lb (107 kg)
Born
November 17, 1945
Rayville, Louisiana, U.S.
Position
Power forward
Center
College
Houston (1965–1968)
Elvin Hayes was one of the most durable and productive power forwards in NBA history. Selected first overall in the 1968 NBA Draft by the San Diego Rockets (now the Houston Rockets), Hayes made an immediate impact, leading the league in scoring as a rookie.
Nicknamed “The Big E,” Hayes combined scoring ability with relentless rebounding and defensive toughness. After joining the Washington Bullets, he became a cornerstone of the franchise, helping lead the team to three NBA Finals appearances and capturing an NBA championship in 1978.
Over a 16-season career, Hayes averaged 21.0 points and 12.5 rebounds per game and ranks among the NBA’s all-time leaders in points and rebounds. His consistency and longevity defined his Hall of Fame career. Hayes was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1990.
Hayes's NBA Records
- Associated Press Player of the Year (1968)
- UPI Player of the Year (1968)
- Sporting News Player of the Year (1968)
- 2× Consensus first-team All-American (1967, 1968)
- 44 retired by Houston Cougars
NBA Records
- NBA champion (1978)
- 12× NBA All-Star (1969–1980)
- 3× All-NBA First Team (1975, 1977, 1979)
- 3× All-NBA Second Team (1973, 1974, 1976)
- 2× NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1974, 1975)
- NBA All-Rookie First Team (1969)
- NBA scoring champion (1969)
- 2× NBA rebounding leader (1970, 1974)
NBA Teams
San Diego / Houston Rockets (1968–1972,1981–1984)
Baltimore / Capital / Washington Bullets (1972–1981)
NBA Draft
1968: 1st round, 1st overall pick
San Diego Rockets
Number Worn
11, 44
NBA Stats
Seasons:
16 (1968–1984)
Games Played:
1,303
Points:
27,313 (21.0 ppg)
Rebounds:
16,279 (12.5 rpg)
Blocks:
1,771 (2.0 bpg)
Steals:
864 (1.0 spg)
Blocks:
1,771 (2.0 bpg)
Field Goal(%):
45.2
Free Throw(%):
67.0
Sports Fan Products
NBA Hall of Fame
The NBA Hall of Fame, officially known as the Basketball Hall of Fame, is a prestigious institution that honors the greatest figures in the sport of basketball. Each year, the Induction ceremony celebrates legendary players who have made significant impacts on the game. The Hall of Fame class features basketball legends whose remarkable career achievements and iconic moments have defined the sport.
Inductees are recognized for their substantial player contributions, earning various awards and honors throughout their careers. The Hall also pays tribute to retired jerseys and acknowledges the profound impact on the game by highlighting the historic contributions of its members. With a focus on the legacy in basketball, the NBA Hall of Fame continues to celebrate excellence and inspire future generations of players through memorable speeches and recognition in sports.
