George Lawrence Mikan Bio/Wiki, Net Worth, Married 2018
George Lawrence Mikan, Jr. (June 18, 1924 – June 1, 2005), nicknamed Mr. Basketball, was an American professional basketball player for the Chicago American Gears of the National Basketball League (NBL) and the Minneapolis Lakers of the NBL, the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA). Invariably playing with thick, round spectacles, the 6 ft 10 in 245 lb. Mikan is seen as one of the pioneers of professional basketball, redefining it as a game of so-called big men with his prolific rebounding, shot blocking and his talent to shoot over smaller defenders with his ambidextrous hook shot, result of his own Mikan Drill.Mikan had a successful player career, winning seven NBL, BAA, and NBA championships, an All-Star MVP trophy, and three scoring titles. He was a member of the first four NBA All-Star games, and the first six All-BAA and All-NBA Teams. Mikan was so dominant that he caused several rule changes in the NBA, among them widening the foul lane—known as the "Mikan Rule"—and introducing the shot clock.After his playing career, Mikan became one of the founders of the American Basketball Association (ABA), serving as commissioner of the league, and was also vital for the forming of the Minnesota Timberwolves. In his later years, Mikan was involved in a long-standing legal battle against the NBA, fighting to increase the meager pensions for players who had retired before the league became lucrative. In 2005, Mikan died after a long battle against diabetes.For his feats, Mikan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959, made the 25th and 35th NBA Anniversary Teams of 1970 and 1980 and was elected one of the NBA 50 Greatest Players in 1996. Since April 2001, a statue of Mikan shooting his trademark hook shot graces the entrance of the Timberwolves' Target Center.
All-NBA Team, NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award, Sporting News Men's College Basketball Player of the Year, Helms Foundation College Basketball Player of the Year
Star Sign
Gemini
#
Fact
1
Inducted into the DePaul University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1976 (inaugural class).
2
Played basketball at DePaul University, 1942-1946.
3
First commissioner of the American Basketball Association, 1967-1969.
4
Inducted into the Joliet [Illinois] Sports Hall of Fame.
5
Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume 7, 2003-2005, pages 369-371. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2007.
6
Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall Hall of Fame in 1959 (charter member).
7
Center for the Minneapolis Lakers (1948-1954 and 1955-1956).
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
ESPN SportsCentury
2000
TV Series documentary
Himself
Night of 100 Stars III
1990
TV Movie
Himself
To Tell the Truth
1957
TV Series
Himself
Person to Person
1954
TV Series documentary
Himself - Basketball Player
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Costas Now
2005
TV Series
Himself
The Harlem Globetrotters: The Team That Changed the World