Search by the First Name of the HOFers
Fats Jenkins
Inducted:
2021
Player Stats:
5-7, 165lb (170cm, 74kg)
Born:
January 10, 1898
New York, New York, U.S.
Dead:
December 6, 1968
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Position:
Guard
Team Captain
College:
NA
Clarence “Fats” Jenkins was one of the greatest athletes of the segregated era and a true pioneer of professional basketball. As captain and star guard of the New York Renaissance (Rens), Jenkins led the all-Black powerhouse through an era of dominance in the 1920s and 1930s.
He was a fast, intelligent floor general known for unselfish passing, smart defense, and unmatched leadership. Under Jenkins’ command, the Rens won thousands of games, including an 88-game winning streak in 1932–33 — one of the most iconic runs in basketball history. He later helped the Rens win the 1939 World Professional Basketball Tournament, defeating the best teams of the era. Jenkins also starred in the Negro Leagues as a baseball outfielder.
In 2019, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, honoring his legacy as a foundational figure who helped shape Black excellence in sports before the NBA existed.
Jenkins's Awards & Records:
- Captain and guard for the New York Renaissance (Rens)
- Led team to 88-game winning streak in 1932–33
- 1939 World Professional Basketball Tournament Champion
- Known for passing, court awareness, and leadership
- Played during a segregated era when Black teams barnstormed across the U.S.
- Defeated top white teams of the era, including the Original Celtics
Career Teams:
New York Renaissance (1920-39)
Number Worn:
15
Career Stats:
Position
Guard / Team Captain
Games Played
2,000+ (Estimated)
Career Win Percentage
Over 85%
Notable Streak
88 consecutive wins (1932–33 season)
Championships
1939 World Pro Basketball Tournament
Fred Taylor
Inducted:
1986
Stats
Born
December 3, 1924
Zanesville, Ohio, U.S.
Died
January 6, 2002
Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
Position
Coach
College
NA
Fred Taylor was the architect of the greatest era in Ohio State basketball history and one of the most respected figures in the collegiate game. Taylor is celebrated exclusively for his 18-season tenure as the head coach of the Buckeyes, where he became the first coach in NCAA history to lead a team to three consecutive Final Four appearances (1960–1962). Taylor was a master recruiter and tactician who emphasized fundamentals, conditioning, and unselfish play.
His 1960 squad, featuring future Hall of Famers Jerry Lucas and John Havlicek (as well as a young reserve named Bobby Knight), is widely considered one of the most dominant teams in the history of the sport, winning the National Championship with an average margin of victory of nearly 20 points. For his extraordinary leadership and three-decade commitment to the game, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1986.
Taylor' Awards & Records
- NCAA Division I (1960)
- 4× NCAA Division I Regional—Final Four (1960–1962, 1968)
- 7× Big Ten (1960–1964, 1968, 1971)
- 2 Henry Iba Award (1961, 1962)
- Only Big Ten coach to win five consecutive conference titles (1960–1964)
- Inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame (2006)
NBA Teams
Ohio State (1958–1976)
NBA Stats
Total Wins:
297
Total Losses:
158
Winning Percentage:
.653
NCAA Tournament Appearances:
5
Final Four Appearances:
4
NCAA Championships:
1 (1960)
Big Ten Titles:
7
Fred Zollner
Inducted:
1999
Stats
Born
January 22, 1901
Little Falls, Minnesota
Died
June 21, 1982
North Miami, Florida
Position:
Team Owner
College:
University of Minnesota
Fred Zollner, widely known as "Mr. Pro Basketball," was a titan of industry and a founding father of the modern NBA. As the owner of the Zollner Corporation, a top-tier manufacturer of automotive pistons, he founded the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons in 1941.
Zollner was not just an owner; he was a visionary who bankrolled other teams to keep the National Basketball League (NBL) afloat during World War II and eventually brokered the historic merger between the NBL and the BAA to form the NBA in 1949—a deal famously negotiated around his kitchen table.
In 1957, he moved his franchise to Detroit to align with the heart of the automotive industry, where they became the Detroit Pistons. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a contributor in 1999.
Zollner's Awards and Records
- 2x NBL Champion (1944, 1945)
- 3x World Professional Basketball Tournament Champion (1944–1946)
- Michigan Sports Hall of Fame (1976)
- Zollner Western Conference Trophy (Named in his honor)
- USA Softball Hall of Fame (For his world-champion fast-pitch teams)
NBA Team
Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons/Detroit Pistons (1941–1961)
NBA Stats
Founded Zollner Pistons:
1941
NBL Championships:
1944, 1945
The Merger Broker:
1949
Air Travel Pioneer:
1952
Move to Detroit:
1957
"Mr. Pro Basketball":
1975
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.
