Tag: NBA

October 26, 1934: Basketball Star Rod Hundley Born in Charleston

Basketball star Rod Hundley was born in Charleston on October 26, 1934. He was a sensation at Charleston High School, dazzling opponents with his tricks and talent. His flashy style is rarely seen today, outside of the Harlem Globetrotters.

His repertoire included trick shots, a signature behind-the-back dribble, and spinning the ball on his finger—all during games. His flair on the court earned him the nickname the “clown prince of basketball.” But he’ll always be remembered as “Hot Rod.”

Many who watched him play at West Virginia University in the 1950s consider “Hot Rod” Hundley the greatest natural athlete the state ever produced. In 1954, he averaged 34 points a game for WVU’s freshman team and then led the varsity squad to a 72-16 record and three straight Southern Conference titles. Hundley earned first team All-American recognition his senior year.

Hundley played six years in the National Basketball Association for the Lakers and was named an all-star twice. Hundley was a radio announcer for the NBA’s Utah Jazz for 35 years, until his retirement in 2009.

“Hot Rod” Hundley died in 2015 at age 80.

June 26, 1936: NBA Hall of Famer Hal Greer Born in Huntington

Basketball hall of famer Hal Greer was born in Huntington on June 26, 1936. In the early ’50s, he was a standout guard at Huntington’s segregated Frederick Douglass High School. Coaching legend Cam Henderson recruited Greer to play for Marshall College—now Marshall University.

In 1955, not only did Greer break the color barrier at Marshall, he became the first African-American athlete to play for a traditionally white college in West Virginia and one of the first in the South. During his three-year career at Marshall, Greer scored nearly 1,400 points and posted an incredible 54-percent field-goal rate.

He went on to star in the NBA for the Syracuse Nationals and Philadelphia ’76ers, leading the Sixers to a national championship in 1967. When Greer retired in 1973, he held the NBA record for most games played and ranked in the top ten in points scored and field goals made. He was later inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and named to the NBA’s list of the 50 greatest players in league history. In 1978, the city of Huntington renamed a major thoroughfare in Hal Greer’s honor.

May 28, 1938: NBA Hall of Famer Jerry West Born in Cabin Creek

  Basketball hall of famer Jerry West was born on Cabin Creek in Kanawha County on May 28, 1938. He led East Bank High School to a state basketball championship before going on to rewrite the record books at West Virginia University. As a sophomore, his Mountaineer team finished the regular season ranked first in the nation. In 1959, he took WVU to within two points of a national championship and was named Most Valuable Player of the NCAA Tournament. After his senior season, he won a gold medal in basketball at the 1960 Olympics.

West went on to a 14-year pro career with the Los Angeles Lakers and played in 14 all-star games. He was named MVP of the league in 1972 and was the third player in NBA history to score more than 25,000 points. His playoff scoring average is still among the league’s highest. Later, as the team’s general manager, he built the Lakers’ “Showtime” dynasty of the 1980s.

The NBA logo is based on Jerry West’s silhouette, a reflection of his impact on the game. And he is widely regarded as West Virginia’s greatest athlete.

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