Paul Silas

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Silas was selected by the St. Louis Hawks in the second round of the 1964 NBA draft with the 12th overall pick. After five seasons with the Hawks, he was traded to the Phoenix Suns for Gary Gregor. He played three seasons with the Suns, then was sent to the Boston Celtics in a deal that allowed the Suns to acquire the rights to Charlie Scott. He later played for the Denver Nuggets and Seattle SuperSonics, winning his third championship with Seattle in 1979.

In Their Own Story

In the 1967–68 season, Silas finally broke out, averaging 11.7 rebounds and 13.4 points per game. But even then, he was the third-best rebounder on his own team, behind Zelmo Beaty (11.7 rpg) and Bill Bridges (13.4 rpg). After five seasons, the Hawks sent him to the Phoenix Suns for Gary Gregor, a 1969 All-Rookie Team selection. Silas would later become a two-time All-Star and three-time NBA champion, but his NBA journey began in St. Louis.

Reader's Guide

Paul Silas played five seasons with the St. Louis/Atlanta Hawks from 1964 to 1969. He was traded to the Phoenix Suns after the 1968–69 season. He was voted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017, but the source does not state he is an NBA Hall of Fame inductee.

Did You Know?

• Silas set an NCAA record for the most rebounds in a three-year career at Creighton University.
• He was the Division I rebounding leader for the 1962–63 season with 20.6 rebounds per game.
• Silas is one of 31 players to have averaged 10 points and 10 rebounds in the same season on eight occasions.