Kristian Ferrell
Standing at 6 feet 10 inches, George Mikan was a dominant force in the early days of the NBA. Affectionately known as Mr. Basketball, Mikan was a prolific rebounder and shot-blocker, revolutionising the game by showcasing the advantages of height and size. Mikan's impact extended beyond his playing career, as he went on to become the first commissioner of the American Basketball Association, a rival league to the NBA. He was also instrumental in bringing professional basketball back to Minneapolis in the 1980s, leaving a lasting legacy on the sport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nicknames | Mr. Basketball, Mikan the Magnificent, The Monster, Big Mike, Mike |
| Height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Weight | 245 lb (111 kg) |
| Awards | NBA All-Star Game MVP trophy, three scoring titles, All-Star MVP trophy, Sam Davis Memorial Award, NBA 75th Anniversary Team |
| Achievements | First NBA player to score 10,000 points in a career, first commissioner of the American Basketball Association, NBA's first superstar, led the Minneapolis Lakers to five titles from 1949-1954 |
| Teams | Chicago American Gears, Minneapolis Lakers |
| Leagues | National Basketball League (NBL), Basketball Association of America (BAA), National Basketball Association (NBA) |
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What You'll Learn
George Mikan was the NBA's first superstar
Standing at 6 ft 10 inches, George Mikan was a towering figure in basketball, both literally and metaphorically. Affectionately nicknamed "Mr. Basketball", Mikan was the NBA's first superstar, dominating the court and redefining the game during his illustrious career.
Mikan's impact on basketball cannot be overstated. He was a true pioneer, revolutionising the way the game was played and paving the way for future generations of players. Mikan's size and skills made him a force to be reckoned with, and he became known for his prolific rebounding, shot-blocking, and ambidextrous hook shot that allowed him to easily shoot over smaller defenders.
Mikan's career began at DePaul University in Chicago, where he caught the eye of coach Ray Meyer. Meyer saw Mikan's potential and transformed him from an awkward, shy player into a confident, aggressive force on the court. Mikan's unique abilities challenged the conventional beliefs about tall players at the time, proving that height could be an advantage rather than a hindrance.
Mikan went on to play for the Chicago American Gears of the National Basketball League (NBL) and the Minneapolis Lakers, successively in the NBL, the Basketball Association of America (BAA), and the National Basketball Association (NBA). During his nine professional seasons, Mikan won seven NBL, BAA, and NBA championships, an NBA All-Star Game MVP trophy, and three scoring titles. He was also a member of the first four NBA All-Star games and was named the league's scoring champion six years in a row.
Beyond his athletic prowess, Mikan's impact extended to the very rules of the game. In 1951, the lane was widened from six to twelve feet in what became known as "The Mikan Rule", a direct response to his dominant presence on the court. The Mikan Drill, a staple exercise for "big men" in basketball, is a testament to his lasting influence on the sport.
George Mikan's extraordinary career solidified his status as the NBA's first superstar, and his legacy continues to inspire and shape the game of basketball to this day.
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He was nicknamed 'Mr. Basketball'
George Mikan, nicknamed Mr. Basketball, was an American professional basketball player. Standing at 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) and weighing 245 lb (111 kg), he was one of the pioneers of professional basketball. Mikan was the first of the "big men" who dominated the post-World War II professional game. He was known for his prolific rebounding, shot-blocking, and ability to shoot over smaller defenders with his ambidextrous hook shot. Mikan's impact on the game was significant, and he is considered to have grown the sport of basketball into an entirely different game.
Mikan's career began when he entered Chicago's DePaul University in 1942, where he met basketball coach Ray Meyer. Meyer saw potential in Mikan and transformed him into a confident and aggressive player who took pride in his height. Mikan went on to play 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).
During his nine professional seasons, Mikan won seven NBL, BAA, and NBA championships. He was the league's scoring champion six years in a row and was the first NBA player to score 10,000 points in a career. Mikan's impact extended beyond his playing career. He was named the first commissioner of the American Basketball Association (ABA) in 1967 and invented the league's trademark red, white, and blue ball.
Mikan's legacy in basketball is undeniable, and he is remembered as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. His impact is reflected in the Mikan Drill, a staple exercise for "big men" in basketball. He was inducted into the inaugural Basketball Hall of Fame class of 1959 and was declared the greatest player of the first half of the century by The Associated Press.
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Mikan redefined basketball as a game dominated by 'big men'
George Mikan, nicknamed "Mr. Basketball", was an American professional basketball player who played 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). Standing at 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) and weighing 245 lb (111 kg), Mikan was a towering presence on the court.
Mikan redefined basketball as a game dominated by big men with his size and play style. Prior to Mikan, basketball was largely controlled and dominated by small, quick players. Mikan's height and physicality allowed him to excel at rebounding and shot-blocking, and he could easily shoot over smaller defenders with his ambidextrous hook shot. Mikan's skill and presence transformed the game, showcasing the advantages of height and strength in a sport that had previously favoured agility and speed.
Mikan's impact extended beyond his playing career. He popularized the underhanded free-throw shooting technique, which was later adopted and made famous by Rick Barry. Additionally, Mikan's influence led to the widening of the lane in 1951 from six to 12 feet, a rule change known as "The Mikan Rule" that was implemented to counter his dominant low-post play.
Mikan's legacy is also preserved in the "Mikan Drill", a staple exercise for big men in basketball. The drill involves a big man standing directly in front of the basket and practicing a repetitive shooting routine, switching between right and left hands to develop precision and consistency. Mikan's impact on the game was so significant that he was inducted into the inaugural Basketball Hall of Fame class of 1959 and was named the greatest player of the first half of the century by The Associated Press.
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He was the first NBA player to score 10,000 points in a career
George Mikan, also known as "Mr. Basketball", was an American professional basketball player who played 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). Standing at 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) and weighing 245 lb (111 kg), Mikan was one of the pioneers of professional basketball. He redefined the game as one dominated by "big men" with his prolific rebounding, shot-blocking, and ability to shoot over smaller defenders with his ambidextrous hook shot.
Mikan had a highly successful playing career, winning seven NBL, BAA, and NBA championships in nine seasons. He was also the first NBA player to score 10,000 points in his career, with a total of 10,156 points. This was a record at the time and stood as a testament to his scoring prowess. Mikan's impact on the game was such that he prompted several significant rule changes in the NBA, including the introduction of the goaltending rule, the widening of the foul lane (known as the "Mikan Rule"),), and the creation of the shot clock.
Mikan's scoring ability was evident from his first season with the Lakers, where he led the league in scoring with 1,195 points, becoming the only NBL player to score more than 1,000 points in a season. He continued his dominant scoring in the 1948 World Professional Basketball Tournament, where he led the Lakers to victory and was named MVP after scoring 40 points in the final. Mikan then led the new 17-team league in scoring during the inaugural 1949-50 NBA season, posting 27.4 points per game and leading the Lakers to another championship.
Mikan's impact extended beyond his playing career. He was one of the founders of the American Basketball Association (ABA) and served as its commissioner from 1967 to 1969. During his time with the ABA, he invented the league's trademark red, white, and blue ball. Mikan also played a key role in bringing professional basketball back to Minneapolis in the 1980s, leading to the inception of the Minnesota Timberwolves franchise in 1989.
For his accomplishments, Mikan was inducted into the inaugural Basketball Hall of Fame class of 1959 and was declared the greatest player of the first half of the century by The Associated Press. He was also named to the 25th, 35th, 50th, and 75th NBA Anniversary Teams, further highlighting his impact on the league and the sport of basketball.
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Mikan was the first commissioner of the American Basketball Association
George Mikan 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). Nicknamed "Mr. Basketball", Mikan stood at 6 feet 10 inches and weighed 245 pounds. He was known for his size and skill, which helped redefine basketball as a game dominated by "big men". Mikan's impact on the game included the Mikan Drill, which has become a staple exercise for "big men" in basketball.
Following his highly successful playing career, Mikan became the first commissioner of the American Basketball Association (ABA) in 1967. The ABA was a new league created to rival the NBA, tapping into markets in the southeast that had been collegiate basketball hotbeds, such as North Carolina, Virginia, and Kentucky. Mikan introduced the league's trademark red, white, and blue basketball and the 3-point line. He also stated that the ABA would invite players without contractual obligations to join and aspired to be a competitor to the NBA.
During his tenure as commissioner, Mikan played a crucial role in shaping the ABA's identity and distinguishing it from the NBA. The introduction of the colourful basketball and the 3-point line added excitement and uniqueness to the league. Mikan's vision for the ABA as a competitor to the NBA demonstrated his ambition and belief in the potential for a second major professional basketball league in the United States.
Mikan's impact extended beyond his playing career and his role as commissioner. He was inducted into the inaugural Basketball Hall of Fame class of 1959 and was declared the greatest player of the first half of the century by The Associated Press. Mikan's legacy in basketball is significant, and he is remembered as one of the pioneers of the sport.
Unfortunately, Mikan resigned from his position as commissioner in 1969, just two years after taking on the role. Despite his short tenure, Mikan left a lasting impact on the ABA and the sport of basketball as a whole.
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Frequently asked questions
George Mikan was nicknamed "Mr. Basketball" because he was one of the pioneers of professional basketball. Standing at 6 ft 10 inches, he was one of the first "'big men' to dominate the post-World War II professional game.
George Mikan was the NBA's first superstar. He led the Minneapolis Lakers to five championships in six seasons from 1949 to 1954. He was also a four-time All-Star and was the league's scoring champion six years in a row.
George Mikan's prolific rebounding, shot-blocking, and ambidextrous hook shot changed the game. In 1951, the lane was widened from six to 12 feet—a rule change known as "The Mikan Rule"—to counter his dominance.
The Mikan Drill is a staple exercise for "big men" in basketball. It involves a player standing in front of the basket and shooting the ball off the backboard with their right hand, then catching it and putting up the same shot with their left hand, and repeating the routine.
