Search by the First Name of the HOFers
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' Awards and Honors
- 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
Emil Liston
Inducted:
1975
Stats
Born
August 21, 1890
Stockton, Missouri, U.S.
Died
October 26, 1949
Baldwin, Kansas, U.S.
Position
Contributor
College
NA
Emil Liston was a visionary administrator and coach who revolutionized collegiate athletics by founding the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics). While his career predated the modern NBA, his work established the framework for national postseason tournaments, providing a stage for "small college" stars who would eventually populate the professional ranks. A close personal friend of Dr.
James Naismith, Liston spearheaded the creation of the NAIB Tournament in 1937, the first-ever national championship for college basketball. He was a champion of equality, leading the NAIA to become the first national organization to offer postseason opportunities to student-athletes of color in 1948.
For his "sheer initiative, drive, and foresight," he was posthumously inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a Contributor in 1975.
Liston's Awards and Honors
- Created NAIB/NAIA Tournament (1937)
- First NAIA Executive Director (19401949)
- 2× Kansas Conference Basketball Champion (1930, 1937)
- National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame (Class of 2006)
- Kansas Sports Hall of Fame Inductee (1961)
- Liston Stadium Named in His Honor (Baker University)
NAIA Teams
Michigan Mines (1916–1918)
Wesleyan (1918–1920)
Baker (1930-1946)
NAIA Stats
Administrative Tenure:
30+ Years (1916–1946)
Founder:
NAIA
Ernest Blood
Inducted:
1960
Stats
Born
October 4, 1872
Manchester, New Hampshire, USA
Died
February 5, 1955
New Smyrna Beach, Florida, USA
Position
Coach
College
NA
Ernest Blood was a legendary pioneer basketball coach who completed a 50-year career across high school, collegiate, and military levels between 1915 and 1950. Blood coached St. Benedict's Prep from 1925 to 1950 to a 421–128 record, winning five prep-school state championships during his quarter-century at the school. He won a grand total of 1,200 games over the span of his 50 years in basketball, coaching YMCA, high school, prep school and college teams. In recognition of all of his accomplishments as a basketball coach, Blood was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1960.
Blood's Awards and Honor
- Seven New Jersey state high school championships.
- Five New Jersey prep school championships.
- 159-game high school winning streak (1919–1925).
- Set an American high school record for most consecutive victories.
NBA Teams
Passaic HS (1915–1924)
St. Benedict's Preparatory School (1925–1950)
NBA Records
Career/Tenor:
1915–1950
Career Won:
Over 1200
Passasic High School Records:
200-1
St.Benedict's Prep Records:
421-128
Championship:
7 New Jersey State Championships
Ernest Schmidt
Inducted:
1974
Player Stats
6 feet 4 inches
Born
February 12, 1911
Nashville, Kansas.
Died
September 6, 1986
Kansas, United States
Position
Shooting guard
College
Pittsburgh State University
Ernest Schmidt never actually played in the National Basketball Association; his playing days took place in the 1930s, long before the league was founded in 1946. Instead, Schmidt was an absolute superstar of the pre-NBA college and AAU eras. A 6'4" center with an explosive vertical leap, he was known for utilizing an early version of the one-handed shot and dominating the paint with tip-ins.
Schmidt starred for the Kansas State Teachers College of Pittsburg (now Pittsburg State University), where his scoring prowess earned him the nickname "One Grand" because he scored exactly 1,000 points during his collegiate career. Recognizing his dominance during basketball's formative years, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 1974.
Schmidt's Awards and Honor
- AAU All-American Second Team (1932)
- 4× All-Conference Selection
- 3× Central Conference Leading Scorer
- 3× Kansas State High School Champion
NCAA Teams
Kansas State Teachers College of Pittsburg
NCAA Stats
Collegiate Points:
1,000 career points
Conference Championships:
4
Consecutive Team Wins:
47
AAU Career:
1932 to 1936
All-Conference selection:
4 times
Central Conference leading scorer:
3 Times
Everett Case
Inducted:
1982
Coach Stats
Born
June 21, 1900
Anderson, Indiana, U.S.
Died
April 30, 1966
Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
Position
Coach
College
DePaul University
Everett Case was the transformative figure who turned North Carolina into the "Center of the Basketball Universe." While he never coached in the NBA, his impact on the professional game was structural: he essentially invented the "ACC style" of play—fast-paced, high-scoring, and theatrical—that would eventually produce dozens of NBA stars and coaches. After a legendary high school career in Indiana, Case arrived at NC State in 1946 and immediately revolutionized Southern basketball.
He introduced the post-game net-cutting ceremony, popularized the use of a spotlight during player introductions, and recruited nationally to build a powerhouse. His coaching tree is a "Who's Who" of basketball history, including NBA coaching legend Slick Leonard. For his role as the "Father of ACC Basketball" and his 377 collegiate wins, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982.
Case's Awards and Honors
- NCAA Regional—Final Four (1950)
- 6 SoCon (1947–1952)
- 4 ACC tournament (1954–1956, 1959)
- 3× ACC Coach of the Year (1954, 1955, 1958)
- 3× SoCon Coach of the Year (1947, 1949, 1951)
NCAA Teams
NC State (1946–1964)
NCAA Stats
Wins:
377
Losses:
134
Win(%):
.738
Conference Titles:
10 (6 Southern Conference, 4 ACC)
ACC Tournament Titles:
4 (Won the first three in history)
Final Four Appearances:
1 (1950)
Everett Dean
Inducted:
1966
Stats
Born
March 18, 1898
Livonia, Indiana, U.S.
Died
October 26, 1993
Position
Coach
College
Indiana University
Everett Dean was one of the most respected college basketball coaches of the early 20th century. Dean built a historic legacy across three decades in collegiate athletics as a dual-sport master. After earning All-American honors as a basketball player at Indiana University, Dean embarked on a 30-year head coaching career spanning Carleton College, Indiana University, and Stanford University.
He delivered Indiana's first Big Ten basketball title in 1926 and later led Stanford to the 1942 NCAA National Championship. Beyond basketball, Dean was an elite baseball coach who led Stanford to the 1953 College World Series, making him the only individual inducted into both the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the College Baseball Hall of Fame. He was enshrined in the Naismith Hall of Fame as a coach in 1966.
Dean's Awards and Honor
- NCAA Basketball National Champion (1942 - Stanford)
- 3× Big Ten Regular Season Champion (1926, 1928, 1936 - Indiana)
- Pacific Coast Conference (PCC) Champion (1942 - Stanford)
- College Baseball Hall of Fame Inductee
- Helms Athletic Foundation First-Team All-American (as player)
- National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame
Everett Shelton
Inducted:
1980
Coach Stats
Born
May 12, 1898
Cunningham, Kansas, U.S.
Died
April 16, 1974
Sacramento, California, U.S.
Position
Coach
College
Phillips University
Everett "Ev" Shelton was a master tactician and a driving force in the expansion of basketball across the American West. While your query focuses on the NBA, Shelton’s greatness was primarily established in the collegiate and AAU ranks, where he won over 800 games across a 46-year career. He is most famous for his 19-season tenure at the University of Wyoming, where he led the Cowboys to the 1943 NCAA Championship.
He also experienced significant success in the AAU, leading the Denver Safeways to a national title in 1937. His ability to mold talent—including Hall of Famer Kenny Sailors, the pioneer of the modern jump shot—cemented his legacy as one of the game's greatest teachers. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980.
Shelton's Awards and Honors
- NCAA (1943)
- 8 MSC/Skyline (1941, 1943, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1958)
- President of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (1960–61)
- Inaugural Inductee, National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame (2006)
- Led Wyoming to a 31–2 record in the 1942–43 season
- One of Wyoming’s most successful basketball coaches
NCAA Teams
Wyoming (1939–1959)
Sacramento State (1959–1968)
NCAA Stats
Wins:
328 (Program Record)
Total Losses:
201
Winning Percentage:
.620
NCAA Championships:
1 (1943)
Conference Titles:
8
NCAA Tournament Appearances:
8
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' Awards and Honors
- 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
Teams
New York Renaissance (1920-39)
Number Worn:
15
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
Ferenc Hepp
Inducted:
1981
Stats
Born
3 November 1909
Békés, Hungary
Died
27 November 1980
Position
Contributor
College
NA
Ferenc Hepp, revered as the "Father of Hungarian Basketball," was a monumental figure in the globalization of the sport. His work within FIBA helped bridge the gap between American basketball and the rest of the world. A graduate of Springfield College (the game's birthplace), Hepp utilized his deep understanding of the sport's American roots to standardize and grow the game across Europe.
He was a tireless administrator, serving as the President of the Hungarian Basketball Federation and a long-term member of the FIBA Central Board. Hepp was also a prolific scholar, publishing over 150 articles and an "Olympic Sport Dictionary" in multiple languages to unify basketball terminology worldwide. For his legendary international leadership, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1981.
Hepp's Awards and Honors
- FIBA Hall of Fame (Inaugural Class, 2007)
- Gold Medal of the Order of the Republic (Hungary, 1948)
- Distinguished Alumni Award from Springfield College (1980)
Frank Keaney
Inducted:
1960
Stats
Born
June 5, 1886
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died
October 10, 1967
Wakefield, Rhode Island, U.S.
Position
Coach
College
Bates College (1911)
Frank Keaney was one of the most innovative coaches in basketball history and is widely regarded as the architect of the modern fast-break offense. During his 28 seasons at Rhode Island State College (now the University of Rhode Island), he transformed the program into a national power by emphasizing speed, relentless full-court defense, and high-scoring offensive play. His legendary 1943 "Firehouse Gang" averaged 80.7 points per game, an extraordinary mark for its era, and helped revolutionize the way basketball was played.
Keaney also became the first coach ever offered the head coaching position of the Boston Celtics and Providence Steamrollers; declined those offers in relation to his doctor's orders and remained at URI as athletic director until 1959. Reflecting his immense influence on the sport. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1960.
Keaney's Awards and Honor
- 8× Conference Champion
- 4× NIT Tournament Appearance
- First college team to average over 50 points per game (1939)
- Led Rhode Island to 401 career victories with only one losing season
- Frank W. Keaney Gymnasium-Armory named in his honor (1953)
- Widely recognized as the architect of the modern fast-break offense
NBA Teams
Rhode Island State (1920–1948)
NBA Records
Career/Tenor:
1920-1948
Seasons Coached:
28
Games Coached:
525
Career Won:
401
Lose:
124
Winning Percentage:
.764
Conference Championships:
8
NIT Appearances:
4
Frank McGuire
Inducted:
1977
Frank McGuire was a charismatic leader and a master recruiter who successfully navigated the worlds of both collegiate and professional basketball. He is one of the few coaches to find significant success in the NBA while maintaining a legendary status in the NCAA. In the professional ranks, McGuire coached the Philadelphia Warriors during the 1961–62 season, where he guided Wilt Chamberlain through his historic 50.4 points-per-game season and his 100-point game.
In the collegiate world, he is a legend at North Carolina, where he led the Tar Heels to a perfect 32–0 record and the 1957 NCAA Championship, and at South Carolina, where he built the program into an ACC powerhouse. For his tactical versatility and his ability to inspire greatness across multiple levels of the game, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1977.
McGuire's Awards and Honors
- NCAA University Division tournament (1957)
- 2 NCAA Regional—Final Four (1952, 1957)
- 6 ACC regular season (1956, 1957, 1959–1961, 1970)
- 2 ACC tournament (1957, 1971)
- 3× ACC Coach of the Year (1957, 1968, 1969)
- National Coach of the Year (1957)
- Consensus National Coach of the Year (1957)
- NBA Eastern Division Finals appearance (1962)
NCAA/NBA Teams
St. John's (1947–1952)
North Carolina (1952–1961)
Philadelphia Warriors (1961–1962)
South Carolina (1964–1980)
NCAA Stats
Coaching career:
1961-1962
Game Coached:
80
Wins:
49
Losses:
31
Win(%):
.613
Collegiate Wins:
550
Collegiate Losses:
235
NCAA Championships:
1 (1957)
Conference Titles:
1 ACC (1957), 1 ACC Tournament (1971)
Frank Ramsey
Inducted:
1982
Player Stats
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
Born
July 13, 1931
Corydon, Kentucky, U.S.
Died
July 8, 2018
Madisonville, Kentucky, U.S.
Position
Small forward
Shooting guard
College
Kentucky (1950–1954)
Frank Ramsey was one of the NBA’s first and most celebrated “sixth men,” excelling as a versatile forward for the Boston Celtics from 1954 to 1964. Known for his scoring, smart defense, and team-first mindset, Ramsey played a key role in the Celtics’ dynasty, helping the team win seven NBA championships. His ability to come off the bench and provide instant offense set a standard for future NBA role players.
Ramsey was a four-time NBA All-Star and consistently contributed in both scoring and rebounding while embracing a team-oriented style. He retired with over 8,000 points and 3,000 rebounds, leaving a lasting legacy as a pioneer of the sixth-man role. Ramsey was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982, recognizing his critical contributions to Boston’s championship success and the evolution of team play.
Ramsey's Awards and Honors
- NCAA champion (1951)
- Consensus second-team All-American (1954)
- Second-team All-American – AP, UPI (1952)
- Third-team All-American – AP, UPI (1951)
- 3× All-American (1951, 1952, 1954)
- 23 retired by Boston Celtics
NBA Records
- 7× NBA champion (1957, 1959–1964)
- NBA 25th Anniversary Team (Finalist)
NBA Teams
Boston Celtics (1954–1955,1956–1964)
NBA Draft
1953: 1st round, 5th overall pick
Boston Celtics
Number Worn
23
NBA Stats
Season:
9 (1954-1964)
Games Played:
623
Points:
8,378 (13.4 ppg)
Rebounds:
3,410 (5.5 rpg)
Assists:
1,134 (1.8 apg)
Field Goal %:
39.9%
Free Throw %:
84.1%
Playoff Game:
98
Fred Taylor
Inducted:
1986
Coach 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's Awards and Honors
- 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)
NCAA Teams
Ohio State (1958–1976)
NCAA 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
Owner 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 Honors
- 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 Teams
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
Gail Goodrich
Inducted:
1996
Player Stats
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
Born
April 23, 1943
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Position
Shooting guard
College
UCLA (1962–1965)
Gail "Stumpy" Goodrich was a tenacious, left-handed guard who became one of the most prolific scorers in the history of both college and professional basketball. Standing 6'1", he was frequently told he was "too small" for the elite level, a doubt he famously dismantled at every stage.Goodrich led the Bruins to their first two NCAA Championships (1964, 1965). In the 1965 title game, he set a then-record with 42 points, cementing his status as a big-game performer.
In the NBA, Goodrich reached his pinnacle during the 1971–72 Los Angeles Lakers season. While the team featured icons like Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain, it was Goodrich who led the squad in scoring (25.9 ppg) during their historic 33-game winning streak and eventual championship run. Known for his "heady" style, creative passing, and high-release jumper, he remained a top-tier scoring threat for over a decade. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996.
Goodrich's Awards and Honors
- 25 retired by Los Angeles Lakers
- 2× NCAA champion (1964, 1965)
- Helms Foundation Player of the Year (1965)
- Consensus first-team All-American (1965)
- 2× First-team All-AAWU (1964, 1965)
NBA Records
- NBA champion (1972)
- 5× NBA All-Star (1969, 1972–1975)
- All-NBA First Team (1974)
- NBA Free Throws Made Leader (1974)
NBA Teams
Los Angeles Lakers (1965–1968,1970–1976)
Phoenix Suns (1968–1970)
New Orleans Jazz (1976–1979)
NBA Draft
1965: territorial pick
Los Angeles Lakers
Number Worn
11, 25
NBA Stats
Seasons Played:
14 (1965-1979)
Game Played:
1,031
Points:
19,181 (18.6 ppg)
Rebounds:
3,279 (3.2 rpg)
Assists:
4,805 (4.7 apg)
Steals:
545 (1.3 SPG)
Field Goal %:
45.6%
Free Throw %:
80.7%
NBA Championships:
1 (1972)
All-Star Selections:
5 (1969, 1972–1975)
All-NBA First Team:
1 (1974)
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