George Mikan Biography: The Life of the Legendary Basketball Player
George Mikan was an American professional basketball player and executive who is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He was born on June 18, 1924, in Joliet, Illinois, to a Croatian father, Joseph, and a Lithuanian mother, Minnie. Mikan was the first of the outstanding big men in the game of basketball, standing about 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 metres) tall. He was selected in an Associated Press poll in 1950 as the greatest basketball player of the first half of the 20th century.
Mikan’s early life was marked by tragedy and hardship. His father died when he was just 10 years old, leaving his mother to raise him and his siblings alone. Despite these challenges, Mikan went on to become a basketball star in high school and college, leading his team to several championships. He then went on to play professional basketball for the Minneapolis Lakers, where he helped the team win five championships from 1949-1954.
Throughout his career, Mikan revolutionized the game of basketball with his innovative playing style and impressive athleticism. He was known for his powerful dunking ability and his ability to dominate the court. Despite his success, Mikan remained humble and dedicated to his craft, and he continued to inspire generations of basketball players long after his retirement.
Key Takeaways
- George Mikan was one of the greatest basketball players of all time, known for his innovative playing style and impressive athleticism.
- Mikan’s early life was marked by tragedy and hardship, but he went on to become a basketball star in high school and college before playing professionally for the Minneapolis Lakers.
- Mikan revolutionized the game of basketball and inspired generations of players with his dedication and humility.
Early Life
George Mikan was born on June 18, 1924, in Joliet, Illinois, to Joseph Mikan and Minnie Mikan. His father was of Croatian descent, and his mother was Lithuanian. He had two brothers, Joe and Ed, and a sister named Marie. Mikan’s grandfather, Juraj (George) Mikan, was born in Vivodina, Croatia, in or about 1874.
Mikan attended Joliet Catholic High School, where he played basketball. He was a standout player and led his team to the state championship in 1940. After graduating from high school, Mikan enrolled at DePaul University in Chicago.
At DePaul, Mikan continued to play basketball and became one of the best players in the country. He led the DePaul Blue Demons to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) championship in 1945 and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). Mikan also helped lead DePaul to the NCAA Final Four in 1943 and 1944.
During his college years, Mikan also played for the Chicago American Gears, a professional basketball team in the National Basketball League (NBL). He played for the Gears from 1944 to 1947 and was named the NBL’s MVP in 1946.
Mikan’s success in college and with the Gears caught the attention of the Minneapolis Lakers, a team in the newly formed Basketball Association of America (BAA). In 1947, the Lakers signed Mikan to a contract and he became one of the first players in the BAA, which later became the NBA.
High School and College Career
George Mikan was born on June 18, 1924, in Joliet, Illinois. He attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago, where he played basketball and developed his skills. Mikan was already six feet tall by the time he was 14 years old, and he continued to grow to a height of 6’10” by the time he graduated from high school.
Mikan went on to attend DePaul University in Chicago, where he played basketball for the Blue Demons. He was a dominant force on the court, leading DePaul to the National Invitation Tournament championship in 1945 and 1946. During his college career, Mikan averaged 19.4 points per game and was named an All-American three times.
Mikan’s success at DePaul caught the attention of professional basketball teams, and he was drafted by the Chicago American Gears of the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1946. However, Mikan chose to return to DePaul to finish his degree and play his final year of college basketball.
In 1947, Mikan was drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers of the newly formed Basketball Association of America (BAA), which later merged with the NBL to form the National Basketball Association (NBA). Mikan’s arrival in Minneapolis marked a turning point for the Lakers franchise, which had struggled in its early years. With Mikan leading the way, the Lakers became one of the dominant teams in the NBA, winning five championships in six years from 1949 to 1954.
Overall, Mikan’s high school and college career set the stage for his success as a professional basketball player. His dominance on the court at DePaul caught the attention of professional teams, and his unique combination of size and skill made him a force to be reckoned with in the NBA.
Professional Career
Minneapolis Lakers
George Mikan began his professional basketball career in 1946 with the Chicago American Gears of the National Basketball League (NBL). In 1947, he joined the Minneapolis Lakers, where he played the majority of his career and won five NBA championships. Mikan was a dominant force on the court, winning seven NBL, BAA, and NBA championships in nine seasons, and three scoring titles. He was also named the NBA All-Star Game MVP trophy and was a member of the first six All-BAA and All-NBA Teams.
Mikan’s success with the Lakers was due in part to his unique playing style. At 6 feet 10 inches, he was one of the tallest players of his time, and he was known for his physicality and toughness on the court. He was also a skilled scorer, with a variety of moves that allowed him to score from anywhere on the court.
American Basketball Association
After retiring from the NBA in 1956, Mikan became the commissioner of the newly formed American Basketball Association (ABA) in 1967. During his tenure, he introduced several innovations to the game, including the three-point shot and the red, white, and blue basketball. He also helped to bring some of the biggest stars of the era, including Julius Erving and Moses Malone, to the ABA.
Despite his success as a player and commissioner, Mikan faced several challenges throughout his career. He struggled with injuries and health issues, including diabetes, and he faced discrimination and racism as a result of his height and ethnicity. Despite these challenges, Mikan remained a trailblazer in the world of basketball and a beloved figure to fans and players alike.
Legacy
George Mikan’s legacy in the world of basketball is immense. He was a pioneer in the sport and helped to shape the game into what it is today. His impact on basketball can be seen in many different ways, from his style of play to the way he conducted himself on and off the court.
Impact on Basketball
Mikan’s impact on basketball was significant. He was one of the first players to use his height and size to his advantage, and he helped to popularize the hook shot. He was also a great rebounder and shot blocker, and his skills helped to revolutionize the center position.
Mikan’s style of play was unique for his time, and he was a dominant force on the court. He was a seven-time All-Star and led the Minneapolis Lakers to five NBA championships. His success on the court helped to popularize the NBA and make it the global phenomenon it is today.
Honors and Awards
Mikan’s contributions to basketball have not gone unnoticed. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959, and he was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996. He was also named the NBA’s first MVP in 1952.
In addition to his individual accomplishments, Mikan’s teams were also successful. He won five NBA championships with the Minneapolis Lakers, and he was a key player on those teams. His success helped to cement his legacy as one of the greatest players in NBA history.
Overall, George Mikan’s legacy in the world of basketball is secure. He was a pioneer in the sport and helped to shape the game into what it is today. His impact on basketball can be seen in many different ways, from his style of play to the way he conducted himself on and off the court.
Personal Life
Family
George Mikan was born on June 18, 1924, in Joliet, Illinois, to Joseph and Minnie Mikan. His father was of Croatian descent, while his mother was Lithuanian. He had two brothers, Joe and Ed, and a sister named Marie.
Mikan married his girlfriend Patricia in 1947, and they had six children together. They remained married until his death in 2005.
Post-Basketball Career
After retiring from basketball, Mikan worked in real estate and became a successful businessman. He also served as the first commissioner of the American Basketball Association (ABA) from 1967 to 1969.
In addition, Mikan was actively involved in philanthropic work. He helped establish the George Mikan Foundation, which provided financial assistance to underprivileged children to attend college.
Mikan also suffered from several health issues later in life, including diabetes and kidney disease. He passed away on June 1, 2005, in Scottsdale, Arizona, at the age of 80.
Overall, Mikan’s personal life was marked by his strong family values, successful post-basketball career, and dedication to philanthropy.
Death and Posthumous Recognition
George Mikan passed away on June 1, 2005, at the age of 80 due to kidney failure. In the years leading up to his death, he had been struggling with diabetes, which ultimately led to the amputation of his right leg in 2000.
Mikan’s death was a significant loss to the basketball world, as he was widely regarded as one of the sport’s greatest pioneers. NBA Commissioner David Stern paid tribute to Mikan, saying, “George Mikan truly revolutionized the game and was the NBA’s first true superstar.”
In recognition of his contributions to the sport, Mikan was posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2005. He was also named to the NBA’s 25th and 50th Anniversary All-Time Teams, further cementing his legacy in basketball history.
Beyond basketball, Mikan’s impact extended to the world of sports medicine. Following his retirement from basketball, he pursued a career in law and became a successful attorney. He also served as the first commissioner of the American Basketball Association from 1967 to 1969.
Mikan’s legacy continues to inspire new generations of basketball players and fans alike. His impact on the sport of basketball and the world of sports medicine will be felt for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
What teams did George Mikan play for?
George Mikan played for the Minneapolis Lakers in the National Basketball League (NBL) and the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which later became the National Basketball Association (NBA). He also briefly played for the Chicago American Gears in the NBL.
What was George Mikan’s wingspan?
There is no information available about George Mikan’s wingspan.
What was George Mikan known for?
George Mikan was known for being one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He was a dominant force on the court, especially in the early years of professional basketball. He was also known for his signature move, the Mikan Drill, which is still used by basketball players today.
How long did George Mikan play basketball?
George Mikan played professional basketball for nine seasons, from 1946 to 1956.
How many children did George Mikan have?
George Mikan had six children with his wife, Patricia Lu McKenna: Michael, Patrick, Timothy, Terry, Tricia, and Maureen.
What are some interesting facts about George Mikan?
- George Mikan was one of the first players to wear goggles on the basketball court, due to his poor eyesight.
- He was also one of the first players to use the slam dunk as a scoring technique.
- Mikan was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959, just three years after retiring from professional basketball.
- After retiring from basketball, Mikan became a successful businessman and served as the first commissioner of the American Basketball Association.