George Mikan

Date of Birth: June 18, 1924

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: June 1, 2005

Biography

George Lawrence Mikan Jr., born on June 18, 1924, was an iconic American professional basketball player who is often regarded as one of the pioneers of modern basketball. Standing at 6 feet 10 inches tall, Mikan was known for his imposing presence on the court and his revolutionary play style, which helped shape the game of basketball as we know it today. Mikan’s basketball career began at DePaul University, where he played for coach Ray Meyer. During his time there, Mikan led the Blue Demons to the NIT title in 1945 and was named the Helms Foundation College Player of the Year twice. His dominance in college basketball caught the attention of professional teams, and he began his professional career with the Chicago American Gears of the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1946. He later joined the Minneapolis Lakers, where he became a central figure in the team’s success. Mikan led the Lakers to five championships in the early years of the NBA and was a three-time scoring champion. His impact on the game was so profound that the NBA had to introduce several rule changes, including the goaltending rule and widening the lane, to counter his dominance. After retiring from playing, Mikan continued to influence basketball as an executive and promoter. He served as the first commissioner of the American Basketball Association (ABA) and was instrumental in the merger of the ABA and NBA. Mikan’s contributions to the game have been immortalized by his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959.

5 Interesting Facts about George Mikan

1. George Mikan was the first big man to dominate professional basketball, earning the nickname “Mr. Basketball.”

2. He developed the Mikan Drill, a basketball practice drill still used today to improve players’ footwork and finishing around the basket.

3. Mikan’s dominance led to several rule changes in the NBA, including the introduction of the goaltending rule and widening the lane from 6 to 12 feet, often referred to as the “Mikan Rule.”

4. He was a six-time All-NBA First Team selection and was named one of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players in 1996.

5. Mikan was a pioneer off the court as well, serving as the first commissioner of the ABA and advocating for the players’ rights and better working conditions.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from George Mikan

1. “You can’t teach height.”

2. “I wanted to make sure every time I went out on the court, I was the best player there.”

3. “Basketball is a game of angles, and if you understand that, you can be a pretty good player.”

4. “I never felt that I had to prove anything to anyone. I just wanted to play the game the best I could.”

5. “The game has changed, but the fundamentals remain the same.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, George Mikan’s net worth was estimated to be around $1 million. However, this is a rough estimate as detailed financial records from his era are not readily available.