Syracuse Nationals 1958-1963,
Philadelphia 76ers 1963-1973 Hall of Fame Member.
Hal Greer was first black player ever to attend Marshall College
in West Virginia.
One of the fastest players in NBA basketball history, Hal
Greer dazzled opponents and delighted basketball fans
with his offense scoring and constant hounding on defense.
Noted for his 15 foot jump shot Hal Greer averaged at least
18.6 points per game for 12 consecutive NBA seasons 1961-1971,
including a career high 24.1 ppg in 1967-68. And, in 1960-61
Hal Greer was a NBA All Star for first of ten times. In the 1968
NBA All-Star Game Hal Greer connected on all eight field goals
attempted, scored a total of 21 points and was selected the MVP
of the game.
As a rookie with the Syracuse Nats in 1958-59 Hal Greer
averaged 11.1 ppg in the regular season and 11.6 ppg in the
NBA Playoffs. In fact, he such a potent scorer and passer
that his teams made the NBA Playoffs in 13 of his 15 years with
the team. Note: Syracuse moved to Philadelphia and changed its
nickname to 76ers prior to the 1963-64 season.
When the Philadelphia 76ers signed 7 ft 1 inch basketball legend
Wilt the Stilt Chamberlain in January 1965, the 76ers made it to
the NBA Conference Finals, before losing to Boston in 7 games.
Well, Hall Greer averaged 24.6 ppg, 7 rebounds ppg and 5 assists
ppg in 11 playoff games.
In 1966-67 the Philadelphia 76ers set a NBA record with an
astonishing 68-13 win/loss. Chamberlain finished with a 24.1
ppg and Hal Greer posted a 22.1 average. In the NBA Playoffs
Hal Greer led all players with a stunning 27.7 points per game
average as the 76ers won its first NBA Championship.
In a brilliant college career at Marshall College in West Virginia,
where he was the first black player ever to attend, Hal Greer
used his exceptional quickness to lead the team to a 50-21
win/loss record spanning three years. Upon an urging from Jules
Rivlin, his college coach, the Syracuse Nationals drafted Hal
Greer in the second round of the 1958 draft.
Hal Greer career stats: 19.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 4.0 assists pg, 21586
points in 1122 games. 8504 FGM in 18811 FGA, a .452 pct.
4578 FTM in 5717 FTA, .801 pct. Hal Greer played in 92
NBA Playoff Games, 20.4 points pg, 5.5 rpg, 4.3 assists pg.
Basketball Historian
