Search by the First Name of the HOFers
Ora Mae Washington
Inducted:
2018
Player Stats
Born:
January 23, 1898
Caroline County, Virginia, U.S.
Died:
December 21, 1971
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Position:
Center
Forward
College:
NA
Ora Mae Washington was one of the most accomplished and groundbreaking athletes of the early 20th century, dominating both women’s basketball and tennis long before opportunities were equal. From the 1930s to the 1940s, she led the Philadelphia Tribunes basketball team to multiple championships, earning the reputation as the “Queen of the Court.” Known for her elite scoring and relentless defense, she helped popularize women’s basketball in Black communities.
Equally talented in tennis, Washington won 12 American Tennis Association (ATA) national singles titles, holding the crown for over a decade. Her athletic excellence came during a time of limited access for Black women in sports, making her legacy even more remarkable. In 2018, she was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as an early African American sports icon.
Washington's Awards and Honors
- Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2018)
- 12 ATA national tennis singles titles – undefeated in singles for over a decade
- Multiple basketball titles with the Philadelphia Tribunes
- Considered the first Black female sports superstar in America
- Faced and overcame barriers due to segregation in both sports
- Known for versatility, skill, and leadership across two sports
- Helped the Philadelphia Tribunes win 11 straight Black women’s basketball titles
Teams
Philadelphia Tribunes (1930s–1940s)
Stats
Tennis Association:
American Tennis Association (ATA)
Basketball Titles:
Numerous Black women’s championships with Tribunes
Tennis Titles:
12-time ATA National Women’s Singles Champion
Original Celtics
Inducted:
1959
Notable Players
Nat Holman
Dutch Dehnert
John Beckman
Joe Lapchick
Davey Banks
Bennie Borgmann
Eddie Burke
Elmer Ripley
Eddie White
Notable Coaches
Jim Furey
Johnny Whitty
Frank "Tip" McCormack
The Original Celtics were one of the most dominant and influential teams in early professional basketball. Formed in New York in 1914 as the New York Celtics, the team was later re-formed by promoter James Furey as the Original Celtics following World War I. Playing extensively at Madison Square Garden and across the country, the Celtics helped bring professional basketball to a national audience. Their legendary roster included future Hall of Famers Nat Holman, Dutch Dehnert, John Beckman, and Joe Lapchick.
During a 205-game national barnstorming schedule, the team posted an extraordinary 193–11–1 record. The Celtics later joined the American Basketball League and won back-to-back championships in 1927 and 1928. They were also pioneers of several techniques that became fundamental to modern basketball, including post play, zone defense, and switching man-to-man defense. The Original Celtics were inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959 as a Team.
Celtics Team's Awards and Honors
- 2× American Basketball League Champion — 1927, 1928
- 193–11–1 record during a 205-game national tour
- First professional team to sign exclusive player contracts
- Credited with pioneering post play
- Credited with developing zone defense
- Credited with advancing switching man-to-man defense
- Were among the first teams inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame
Team Stats
Founded:
1914
Primary Home Venue:
Madison Square Garden
National Barnstorming Record:
193–11–1
ABL Championships:
2
ABL Titles:
1927, 1928
Oscar Robertson
Inducted:
1980
Player Stats
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
Born
November 24, 1938
Charlotte, Tennessee, U.S.
Position
Point guard
College
Cincinnati (1957–1960)
Oscar Robertson, known as “The Big O,” was one of the most complete players in NBA history. Robertson played for the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks from 1960 to 1974. In the 1961–62 season, he became the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire season, a mark that stood alone for decades.
He was named NBA Most Valuable Player in 1964 and earned 12 All-Star selections. In 1971, he helped lead the Milwaukee Bucks to their first NBA championship. Robertson finished his career as one of the league’s all-time leaders in points and assists.
For his historic impact on the game, Oscar Robertson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980.
Robertson's Awards and Honors
- 3× National college player of the year (1958–1960)
- 3× Consensus first-team All-American (1958–1960)
- 3× NCAA scoring champion (1958–1960)
- 3× First-team All-MVC (1958–1960)
- 1 retired by Milwaukee Bucks
NBA Records
- NBA champion (1971)
- NBA Most Valuable Player (1964)
- 12× NBA All-Star (1961–1972)
- 3× NBA All-Star Game MVP (1961, 1964, 1969)
- 9× All-NBA First Team (1961–1969)
- 2× All-NBA Second Team (1970, 1971)
- NBA Rookie of the Year (1961)
- 6× NBA assists leader (1961, 1962, 1964–1966, 1969)
NBA Teams
Cincinnati Royals (1960–1970)
Milwaukee Bucks (1970–1974)
NBA Draft
1960: territorial pick
Cincinnati Royals
Number Worn
14, 1
NBA Stats
Seasons:
14 (1960–1974)
Games Played:
1,040
Points:
26,710 (25.7 ppg)
Rebounds:
7,804 (7.5 rpg)
Assists:
9,887 (9.5 apg)
Steals:
77 (1.1 spg)
Blocks:
4 (0.1 bpg)
Field Goal(%):
48.5
Free Throw(%):
83.8
Playoff Game:
86
Oscar Schmidt
Inducted:
2013
Player Stats
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
240 lb (109 kg)
Born:
February 16, 1958
Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
Position:
Small forward
Power forward
College:
S.E. Palmeiras
Mackenzie College
Oscar Daniel Bezerra Schmidt (born 1958), nicknamed "Mão Santa" (Holy Hand), is a legendary Brazilian basketball forward hailed as one of the greatest scorers in history. Rather than pursuing an NBA career after being drafted in 1984, he chose to stay in international basketball to maintain Olympic eligibility.
Over a remarkable 29-year career, he amassed nearly 50,000 points in club and national play combined, becoming the top scorer in Olympic history, the FIBA World Cup, and multiple top leagues. Known for his precision shooting, leadership, and longevity, he helped Brazil to a historic 1987 Pan-American gold medal, highlighted by 46 points against the United States.
Recognized globally, Schmidt was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013, honoring his transcendent impact on the sport.
Schmidt's Awards and Honors
- Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2013)
- Inducted into FIBA Hall of Fame (2010)
- Olympic Order recipient (1997)
- Named one of FIBA’s 50 Greatest Players (1991)
- Multiple scoring titles: Brazilian, Italian, Spanish leagues
- Jersey numbers retired by several clubs (Juve Caserta #18, Pavia #11, Flamengo #14)
Notable Achievements
- Holds the record for most total career points in basketball (~49,700), until recently surpassed by
- All-time leading scorer in Olympic basketball (1,093 points)
- Averaged a record 42.3 points per game during the 1988 Olympics
- Olympic single-game scoring record: 55 points against Spain
- All-time leading scorer in FIBA World Championships and record-holder for points in a single World Cup game (52)
Teams
S.E. Palmeiras (1974–1978)
E.C. Sírio (1978–1982)
América do Rio (1982)
JuveCaserta (1982–1990)
Pavia (1990–1993)
Valladolid (1993–1995)
S.C. Corinthians Paulista (1995–1997)
Bandeirantes / Mackenzie (1997–1999)
C.R. Flamengo (1999–2003)
NBA Draft:
1984: 6th round, 131st overall pick
New Jersey Nets
Number Worn:
6, 11, 14, 18
Stats
Total career points:
~49,700 points
Brazilian national team:
326 appearances
~7,693 points
Olympics:
1,093 points
~28.8 ppg
1988 Olympics:
Averaged 42.3 ppg
Oswald Tower
Inducted:
1959
Stats
Born
November 23, 1883
North Adams, Massachusetts
Died:
May 28, 1968
West Caldwell, New Jersey
Position:
Contributor
College:
Williams College
Oswald Tower was a key figure in establishing consistent rules and standards for basketball during the sport’s early growth. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959 as a contributor. Tower spent 50 years on the National Basketball Rules Committee, helping bring greater uniformity to a game that was once played under different rules in different regions.
From 1915 through 1959, he served as editor of the Official Basketball Guide and was the sport’s official rules interpreter. Tower also coached at Wilbraham Academy in Massachusetts and officiated high school football and basketball for more than 35 years.
His work extended beyond the court, as he helped explain, organize and promote the rules that allowed basketball to develop more consistently across the United States. In 1942, he received the Harold M. Gore Award for his outstanding contribution to basketball.
Tower's Awards and Honors
- Harold M. Gore Award, 1942
- 50-year member of the National Basketball Rules Committee
- Five decades of work interpreting and developing basketball rules
- Longtime editor of the Official Basketball Guide
- Officiated high school football and basketball for more than 35 years
NBA Position
As Administrator and Instructor
Phillips Academy Andover (1910–1949)
As Editor
National Basketball Rules Committee (1910-1960)
NBA Stats
Primary role:
Basketball administrator, instructor and rules authority
National Basketball Rules Committee:
1910–1960
Official Rules Interpreter:
1915–1960
Official Basketball Guide editor:
1915–1959
Wilbraham Academy coach:
1907–1910
High school officiating: More than
35 years
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