Elgin Baylor (Part 1)

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10 Mar 2024

Elgin Baylor (Part 1)

Elgin Baylor was a legendary figure in basketball, known for his remarkable skills on the court and his contributions to the game as a player, coach, and executive. Born on September 16, 1934, Baylor had a distinguished career in the NBA, primarily with the Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers.
As a player, Baylor was highly regarded for his scoring ability, rebounding prowess, and versatility on the court. He was the first overall pick in the 1958 NBA draft and went on to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 1959. Throughout his career, Baylor was selected to 11 NBA All-Star Games and earned recognition as a 10-time member of the All-NBA First Team. His signature move, the hanging jump shot, became iconic in basketball history.

In addition to his individual accolades, Baylor was instrumental in leading the Lakers to success during his tenure with the team. He played a pivotal role in shaping the franchise's identity and remains the all-time leader in career rebounds for the Lakers with 11,463.
Off the court, Baylor also made appearances in various television shows, showcasing his widespread popularity and influence beyond basketball. He appeared on programs such as Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, the Jackson 5's TV special, and episodes of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century and The White Shadow.

After retiring as a player, Baylor transitioned into a successful career as an executive, serving as the general manager of the Los Angeles Clippers for 22 years. He was recognized for his contributions to the Clippers organization when he was named the NBA Executive of the Year in 2006. Despite his significant impact, Baylor's tenure with the Clippers came to an end in 2008.
Baylor's legacy in basketball is undeniable, and his influence on the game continues to be celebrated. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1977 and was honored as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996. In October 2021, he was once again recognized as one of the league's greatest players with his inclusion in the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team.

Elgin "Rabbit" Baylor's early life was marked by his passion for basketball and his perseverance in the face of segregation and limited opportunities. Born on September 16, 1934, in Washington, D.C., Baylor discovered his love for the sport at the age of 14. However, racial segregation limited his access to proper facilities, as African Americans were banned from using many recreation centers.
Despite these challenges, Baylor honed his skills on basketball courts wherever he could find them. He attended Phelps Vocational High School for his first two years of high school, where he played against other black teams due to the segregation policies of the time. It was during this period that Baylor began to make a name for himself as a talented player, setting scoring records and earning recognition as a three-time All-City player.

Baylor faced academic struggles and temporarily dropped out of school to work in a furniture store while continuing to play basketball in local leagues. However, he returned to school for his senior year at the newly opened Spingarn High School, where he further solidified his reputation as a standout athlete. Baylor's impressive performances earned him accolades such as first-team Washington All-Metropolitan and the SSA's Livingstone Trophy as the area's best basketball player.
One of Baylor's most memorable achievements during his high school career was his record-breaking 63-point game against his former team, Phelps. Despite playing with four fouls for the entire second half, Baylor displayed remarkable skill and determination to set a new DC-area scoring record. However, his accomplishment received less media attention than similar feats by white players, highlighting the racial biases prevalent in the sports world at the time.
Despite these challenges, Baylor's talent and perseverance would eventually propel him to great success in basketball, both in college and in the professional ranks of the NBA. His journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the game's greatest players is a testament to his resilience and determination.

Elgin Baylor's journey to college basketball and eventually the NBA was marked by challenges and perseverance. Despite his exceptional talent as a high school player, Baylor faced barriers to entering major college programs. At the time, college scouts typically did not recruit at black high schools, and Baylor struggled academically, further limiting his options.
However, Baylor's fortunes changed when a friend helped him secure a football scholarship at the College of Idaho. Although Baylor never played football for the school, he was able to join the basketball team without a tryout and quickly became a standout player, averaging over 31 points and 20 rebounds per game during his first season.

After the College of Idaho experienced coaching changes and scholarship restrictions, Baylor found himself at Seattle University, where he continued to excel on the basketball court. He averaged impressive numbers, leading Seattle to its only appearance in the NCAA championship game, where they fell short against the Kentucky Wildcats.
Baylor's outstanding performance at Seattle University caught the attention of NBA scouts, and he was drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers with the first overall pick in the 1958 NBA draft. Despite being drafted earlier by the Lakers and opting to stay in school, Baylor decided to leave college after his junior season to join the NBA.
Throughout his collegiate career, Baylor averaged remarkable statistics, showcasing his scoring ability and prowess on the boards. His success at both the College of Idaho and Seattle University laid the foundation for his legendary career in the NBA, where he would go on to become one of the game's greatest players.