Clyde Edward LOVELETTE

Clyde Lovellette won championship basketball titles at every major level of competition – NCAA, Olympic and NBA. The 6-9 (2.05) center was a two-time All-American at the University of Kansas and, in 1952, led them to the NCAA title. That year he also led the nation’s colleges in scoring with 28.4 points per game, and through 2016, is the only college player to lead the nation in scoring while leading his team to the NCAA title. After his Olympic success, Lovellette was drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers in 1953 and he had four good years for them. He subsequently played for both Cincinnati and St. Louis, playing in three NBA All-Star games and making second team All-NBA one year. Lovellette finished out his career with the Boston Celtics, as a back-up center to Bill Russell, and it was with them, in 1963 and 1964, that he played on NBA championship teams. Lovellette was a burly fellow on the court and was known as a bit of an enforcer. He apparently took the reputation with him after his playing days – he served several years as sheriff of his hometown. He was elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1988 and the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.