Search by the First Name of the HOFers
Bobby Jones
Inducted:
2019
Player Stats
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
Born:
December 18, 1951
Akron, Ohio, U.S.
Position:
Power forward
College:
North Carolina (1971–1974)
Bobby Jones built his legacy as one of the greatest defenders and ultimate team players in NBA history. Known for his hustle, integrity, and quiet leadership, Jones played 12 NBA seasons, primarily with the Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers. He was a defensive force who brought energy off the bench and sacrificed individual stats for team success.
Jones made 11 straight All-Defensive Teams and was the first-ever recipient of the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award in 1983—the same year he helped the 76ers win the NBA Championship. Despite modest scoring numbers, his efficiency and unselfish play made him a coach’s dream. Jones was also admired for his sportsmanship and clean style of play, earning the nickname “The Secretary of Defense.”
He retired with a career field goal percentage of .550 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019 for his all-around impact on the game.
Jones' Awards and Honors
- NBA champion (1983)
- 4× NBA All-Star (1977, 1978, 1981, 1982)
- 8× NBA All-Defensive First Team (1977–1984)
- NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1985)
- NBA Sixth Man of the Year (1983)
- ABA All-Star (1976)
- All-ABA Second Team (1976)
- 2× ABA All-Defensive First Team (1975, 1976)
- ABA All-Rookie First Team (1975)
- 24 retired by Philadelphia 76ers
- Consensus second-team All-American (1974)
- First-team All-ACC (1974)
- Second-team All-ACC (1973)
- 34 honored by North Carolina Tar Heels
- Coach Wooden "Keys to Life" Award (2005)
NBA Teams
Denver Nuggets (1974–1978)
Philadelphia 76ers (1978–1986)
NBA Draft:
1974: 1st round, 5th overall pick
Houston Rockets
Number Worn:
24
NBA Stats
Seasons:
12 (1974–1986)
Games Played:
941
Points:
11,448
Rebounds:
5,739
Assists:
1,875
Steals:
1,293
Blocks:
1,145
Field Goal %:
.550
Points Per Game:
12.1
Bobby McDermott
Inducted:
1988
Player Stats
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
Born
January 7, 1914
Queens, New York, U.S.
Died
October 3, 1963
Yonkers, New York, U.S.
Position
Guard
College
NA
Bobby McDermott was one of professional basketball’s earliest superstars and a dominant scorer of the 1930s and 1940s. Playing primarily in the National Basketball League (NBL), a direct predecessor to the NBA, McDermott built a reputation as one of the greatest long-range shooters of his era.
He starred for teams such as the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (now the Detroit Pistons franchise), leading them to multiple league championships. McDermott was a prolific scorer, winning numerous scoring titles and becoming one of the first players in pro basketball history to reach 4,000 career points — a major milestone at the time.
Known for his toughness and scoring flair, McDermott helped popularize professional basketball during its formative years. His dominance and impact on the early professional game earned him induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1988.
McDermott's Awards and Honors
- 4× NBL Most Valuable Player (1943–1946)
- 3× NBL Champion (1944, 1945, 1947)
- 6× All-NBL First Team (1942–1947)
- 3× World Professional Basketball Tournament Champion (1944–1946)
- World Professional Tournament MVP (1944)
- NBL Scoring Champion (1943)
- Named "Greatest Player in NBL History" (1946)
NBA Teams
Brooklyn Visitations (1934–1936)
Original Celtics (1936–1939,1940–1941)
Baltimore Clippers (1939–1940)
Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (1941–1946)
NBA Stats
Playing career:
1934–1950
Seasons Played:
17
Total Points (NBL):
3,583
Points Per Game:
12.5
Field Goals Made:
1,465
Free Throw Percentage:
~71.0%
NBL Championships:
3
Bobby Wanzer
Inducted:
1987
Player Stats
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
Born
June 4, 1921
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Died
January 23, 2016
Pittsford, New York, U.S.
Position
Point guard
Shooting guard
College
Seton Hall (1942–1943,1946–1947)
Colgate (1943–1944)
Bobby Wanzer was one of the early stars of professional basketball and a pioneer in the guard position. Playing primarily for the Rochester Royals, Wanzer was known for his smooth shooting, leadership, and steady playmaking.
He helped lead the Royals to an NBA championship in 1951 and was a six-time NBA All-Star. Wanzer’s ability to control the offense, distribute the ball, and score efficiently made him one of the most respected guards of his era.
Over his career, Wanzer averaged 11.6 points per game and was recognized for his consistency, defensive skills, and role in establishing professional basketball’s early credibility. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987.
Wanzer's Awards and Honors
- Inducted into the U.S. Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame
- 8 Retired by Seton Hall Pirates
- Key guard for the early Rochester Royals dynasty
- Player-coach pioneer
NBA Records
- NBA Champion (1951)
- 5× NBA All-Star (1952–1956)
- 3× All-NBA Second Team (1952–1954)
- NBA Free Throw Percentage Leader (1952)
- First player in NBA history to shoot 90%+ from the FT line
NBA Teams
Rochester Royals (1947–1957)
NBA Draft
1948: 1st round, 10th overall pick
Rochester Royals
Number Worn
9
NBA Stats
Seasons:
9 (1948–1957)
Games Played:
568
Points:
6,924 (12.2 ppg)
Rebounds:
1,979 (4.5 rpg)
Assists:
1,830 (3.2 apg)
Field Goal(%):
39.3
Free Throw(%):
80.2
Playoff Game:
38
Borislav Stankovic
Inducted:
1991
Secretary General Stats
Born
9 July 1925
Bihać, Kingdom of Serbs,
Croats and Slovenes
Died
20 March 2020
Belgrade, Serbia
Position
Contributor
College
University of Belgrade
Borislav "Bora" Stankovic was a visionary Serbian administrator who served as the Secretary General of FIBA for nearly three decades. Stankovic believed that for basketball to truly become a global game, the "walls" between the professional and amateur worlds had to fall. Working alongside NBA Commissioner David Stern, he orchestrated the 1989 rule change that allowed NBA players to compete in the Olympics.
This monumental shift paved the way for the 1992 "Dream Team," an event that sparked a global explosion of interest in the NBA. A former star player and championship coach in Yugoslavia and Italy, Stankovic used his deep understanding of the game to modernize international rules, including the adoption of the three-point line. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991.
Stankovic's Awards and Honors
- 3× Yugoslav League Champion (Player: 1946–1948)
- 3× Yugoslav League Champion (Coach: 1958, 1960, 1964)
- Italian League Champion (Coach: 1968)
- Olympic Order (1987)
- FIBA Hall of Fame Inductee (2007)
- Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee (2000)
- Order of the Legion of Honour (France, 2001)
FIBA
FIBA Secretary General
Contributions
As Secretary General:
26 Years (1976–2002)
Yugoslav League Titles:
6
Italian League Titles:
1
National Team Appearances:
36 (Yugoslavia)
Olympic Games Oversaw:
9
World Championships Oversaw:
8
Branch McCracken
Inducted:
1960
Player Stats
6'4"
Born
June 9, 1908
Monrovia, Indiana, U.S.
Died
June 4, 1970
Bloomington, Indiana, U.S.
Position
Center/Forward/Guard
College
Indiana University
Branch McCracken was one of the finest college basketball players of his era before becoming one of the sport's legendary coaches. Nicknamed "Big Bear" for his 6-foot-4 frame and fierce competitiveness, he led Indiana University in scoring for three consecutive seasons and earned First Team All-Big Ten honors three times.
As a senior in 1930, he set the Big Ten single-season scoring record with 147 points and was recognized as the Helms Foundation Player of the Year. After college, he briefly played professional basketball with teams such as the Indianapolis Kautskys before beginning his historic coaching career.
He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1960 as a player.
McCracken's Awards and Honor
- 3× First Team All-Big Ten
- 4x Big Ten Conference Regular Season Champion
- Indiana University Scoring Leader
- Helms Foundation Player of the Year (1930)
- Awarded the prestigious Big Ten Most Valuable Player honor in 1928
NBA Teams
Indiana (1927–1930)
NBA Records
Career /Tenor:
1927-1930
Games Played:
51
Points:
526
Points per game:
10.3
Field Goal (%):
25.8
Free Throw (%):
59.8
Bruce Drake
Inducted:
1973
Stats
Born
December 5, 1905
Gentry, Texas
Died
December 4, 1983
Norman, Oklahoma
Position
Coach
College
University of Oklahoma
Bruce Drake was one of the most innovative coaches in basketball history, earning a reputation for developing creative offensive strategies and maximizing the talent of undersized teams. As head coach at the University of Oklahoma for 17 seasons, he led the Sooners to six conference championships and multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. Drake introduced the famous "Drake Shuffle," a ball-control offense that emphasized movement, passing, and teamwork, influencing coaches across the country.
He also played an important role in improving the sport by advocating for the ban on goaltending and later serving as chairman of the NCAA Rules Committee. In 1956, he was an assistant coach for the United States men's basketball team that won the Olympic gold medal. Bruce Drake was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1973, recognizing his lasting impact on coaching and the evolution of basketball.
Drake's Awards & Honor
- 5 Big Six Championship (1939, 1940, 1942, 1944, 1947)
- Big Seven Championship (1949)
- Chairman, NCAA Rules Committee (1951–1955)
- U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist (1956 - Assistant Coach)
NBA Teams
University of Oklahoma (1938–1955)
Career Stats
Seasons Coached:
17
Overall Record:
200–182
Win(%):
.524
Conference Championships:
6
NCAA Tournament Appearances:
3
Final Four Appearances:
2
Assistant Coach, U.S. Olympic Team:
1956 (Gold Medal)
NCAA Rules Committee:
Member and later Chairman (1951–1955)
Buddy Jeannette
Inducted:
1994
Player Stats
5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
175 lb (79 kg)
Born
September 15, 1917
New Kensington, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died
March 11, 1998
Nashua, New Hampshire, U.S.
Position
Guard
College
Washington & Jefferson (1934–1938)
Harry "Buddy" Jeannette was one of the most significant "bridge" figures in the transition from early professional barnstorming to the modern NBA. A 5'11" guard known for his blistering speed, dexterous passing, and "heady" playmaking, Jeannette was widely considered the premier backcourt player in the world between 1938 and 1948.
His legacy is defined by his versatility and leadership. In 1948, as a member of the Baltimore Bullets, he became the first player-coach in history to win a professional championship in the BAA (the league that would become the NBA a year later). He was a four-time All-NBL First Team selection and won five professional titles across three different leagues. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994.
Jeannette's Awards and Honors
- BAA champion (1948)
- All-BAA Second Team (1948)
- 3× NBL champion (1943–1945)
- 4× All-NBL First Team (1941, 1944–1946)
- All-NBL Second Team (1943)
- 4× WPBT champion (1941, 1944–1946)
- All-Time Pro Stars Second Team (1945)
- NBL All-Time Team
NBA Teams
Baltimore Bullets (1947–1950)
Number Worn
26, 6, 14
NBA Stats
Seasons played:
3 (1947–1950)
Games played:
139
Points:
997
Assist:
287 ( 2.1 APG)
Field Goal(%):
34.1
Free Throw(%):
78.1
Points Per Game:
7.2
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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.