One of the all time greats in basketball history, Elgin Baylor ‘was as good as it gets’ in college as well as in the NBA pro ranks.
College of Idaho 1954-1955, Seattle
University 1956-1958 Member of the Naismith Hall of Fame
Elgin Baylor had perhaps the best freshman year in collegiate basketball history. In 26 games during his freshman year at the College of Idaho in 1954-55 Elgin Baylor scored 814 points, averaging a robust 31.3 points per game, and had 492 rebounds, an average of 20.5 per game. Elgin Baylor did not play the next season, being ineligible after transferring to Seattle University.
Playing with Seattle in 1956-1957 Elgin Baylor was first in the college ranks in rebounds with 508 and averaged 29.7 points per game, third highest among college players. For his efforts Elgin Baylor was selected a consensus second team All American in 1956-57.
During the 1957-1958 Elgin Baylor scored over 47 points in a game 4 times and was a first team unanimous All American forward and was voted 1958 Final Four Most Outstanding Player, Elgin Baylor averaged 27 points in 5 NCAA 1958 Tournament Games including 25 points in the Championship Game 84-72 loss to Kentucky in Louisville KY.
Seattle coached by John Castellani finished the 1957-58 season with a 24-7 record. Elgin Baylor was second in the nation in
scoring with 943 points, a 32.5 average. First was Oscar Robertson of Cincinnati with 984 points, 35.1 average. Third was Wilt The Stilt Chamberlain with 633 points, a 30.1 avg.
Selected as a junior by the Minneapolis Lakers in the first round of the 1958 NBA Draft
| Elgin Baylor | Birthdate: | 9/16/1934 | Height / Weight: | 6' 5" / 225 lbs. | Position: | F | College: | Seattle | 1970 TOPPS CARD |
Elgin Baylor college stats: an even 2500 points, 31.3 points per game, 80 games, 956 FGM, 1903 FGA, .502 pct, 588 FTM 791
FTA, .743 pct, 1550 rebounds, 20.0 average per game. Hometown: Washington DC