Jim Pollard

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Lore & Background

Pollard attended Oakland Technical High School in Oakland, California, leading the school's basketball team to three consecutive conference titles from 1937–38 to 1939–40. He averaged 19.8 points per game in his senior year, setting a school record. He played college basketball at Stanford University for two seasons under head coach Everett Dean, and was a key member of the 1942 national championship team, though he did not play in the championship game due to illness. His college career was ended early by World War II, and he served with the United States Coast Guard from 1942 to 1946. He later graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1954.

In Their Own Story

Before his professional dominance, Pollard's path was shaped by his time at Stanford University under head coach Everett Dean. A key member of the 1942 national championship team, illness prevented him from playing in that specific title game. His college career was interrupted by World War II, leading to service with the United States Coast Guard from 1942 to 1946. During this period, he starred for the Coast Guard basketball team in Alameda, securing a Northern California title in 1943 and a Service League championship in 1946. After the war, Pollard played amateur basketball for the San Diego Dons and Oakland Bittners, leading the AAU in scoring and earning MVP honors both years while his teams reached the national tournament finals twice. He also played baseball for Jordan, Minnesota's Town Team during his NBA career, famously hitting a ball that landed in a passing freight train gondola car.

Reader's Guide

Pollard began his professional career in 1947 with the Minneapolis Lakers in the National Basketball League. He was a member of a future Hall of Fame frontcourt alongside George Mikan, Vern Mikkelsen, and Slater Martin. The Lakers won the NBL championship in 1948, the BAA championship in 1949, and four NBA championships in 1950, 1952, 1953, and 1954. Pollard was a four-time NBA All-Star, and was named to the All-BAA First Team in 1949 and 1950, and the All-NBA Second Team in 1952 and 1954. He retired after eight seasons with career averages of 13.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. After retiring, he coached at La Salle University, the Minneapolis Lakers, the Chicago Packers, and in the ABA with the Minnesota Muskies and Miami Floridians.

Did You Know?

• Pollard earned the nickname 'The Kangaroo Kid' for his tremendous leaping ability.
• He could reportedly touch the top of the backboard and dunk from the foul line.
• Pollard also played amateur baseball for Jordan, Minnesota's Town Team baseball club during his NBA career.
• He was inducted into the Bay Area Hall of Fame, Stanford Hall of Fame, and Pac-12 Hall of Honor.