SPRINGFIELD, MASS. – The Basketball Hall of Fame Family celebrates the life and mourns the passing of legendary Los Angeles Laker Elgin Baylor. Enshrined as a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1977, Mr. Baylor has passed away at the age of 86.
“Elgin Baylor was a truly gifted athlete with abilities beyond all expectations for his era,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “His style of play and willingness to engage the younger generation of players has had a monumental impact on the game. He was one of our most treasured Hall of Famers, regularly attending our annual events and drawing a crowd of admirers wherever he went. He will be tremendously missed by the Hall of Fame Family.”
Elgin Baylor was an innovative offensive force unlike anyone to play in the NBA before him. The 6-foot-5 Baylor possessed tremendous body control and could suspend himself in air, earning him the nickname "the man with a thousand moves." With his slashing drives to the hoop and his springboard-like jump shots, he dominated his opponents averaging 27.4 points and 13.5 rebounds for his career. Baylor was the first athlete to play above the rim, paving the way for future leapers like Connie Hawkins, Julius Erving, and Michael Jordan. In November 1960, Baylor became the first player in NBA history to break the 70-point barrier when he torched the New York Knicks for 71 points. Baylor, who teamed with Jerry West to form one of the most-feared scoring duos in the NBA, was named All-NBA First Team 10 times.
About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was born, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting, preserving and celebrating the game of basketball at every level – men and women, amateur and professional players, coaches and contributors, both domestically and internationally. The Hall of Fame museum is home to more than 400 inductees and over 40,000 square feet of basketball history. Nearly 200,000 people visit the Hall of Fame museum each year to learn about the game, experience the interactive exhibits and test their skills on the Jerry Colangelo "Court of Dreams." Best known for its annual marquee Enshrinement Ceremony honoring the game’s elite, the Hall of Fame also operates over 70 high school and collegiate competitions annually throughout the country and abroad. For more information on the Basketball Hall of Fame organization, its museum and events, visit www.hoophall.com, follow @hoophall or call 1-877-4HOOPLA.