Joseph F. "Joe" Fulks enshrined as a player in 1978

Joseph F. "Joe" Fulks

Enshrined 1978
Born: October 26, 1921
Birmingham, KY
Died: March 21, 1976

One of modern pro basketball's first scoring sensations and one of the top players in the NBA's early years, "Jumpin' Joe" Fulks' switch from the two-handed to the one-handed shot revolutionized shooting and scoring in professional basketball. A 1943 NAIA All-America at Murray State, Fulks moved on in 1946 to a highlight-filled professional career with the Philadelphia Warriors of the BAA-NBA. As a rookie, Jumpin' Joe led the BAA in scoring and the Warriors to the BAA title. In 1949, The Sporting News called Fulks "the greatest basketball player in the country." On February 10, 1949, he didn't disappoint his fans. Fulks scored a then-NBA record of 63 points against the Indianapolis Jets. In 1970, Fulks was named to the NBA's 25th Anniversary All-Star team.