Elgin Baylor
The Lakers' first franchise player and a revolutionary scorer.
Elgin Gay Baylor (EL-jin; September 16, 1934 – March 22, 2021) was an American professional basketball player, coach, and executive. He played 14 seasons as a forward in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers. Baylor was a gifted shooter, a strong rebounder, and an accomplished passer, who was best known for his trademark hanging jump shot. The No. 1 draft pick in 1958, NBA Rookie of the Year in 1959, 11-time NBA All-Star, and a 10-time member of the All-NBA first team, Baylor is regarded as one of the game's greatest ever players. In 1977, Baylor was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In 1996, Baylor was named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. In October 2021, Baylor was again honored as one of the league's greatest players of all time by being named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team. Baylor is the leader for most career rebounds in Lakers franchise history with 11,463.
- All-Star Appearances:
- 11
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Baylor spent 22 years as general manager of the Los Angeles Clippers, having managed the team for the majority of the Donald Sterling ownership period. He won the NBA Executive of the Year Award in 2006. Two years later, the Clippers relieved him of his executive duties shortly before the 2008–09 season began. In 1974, he volunteered to play a mixed doubles exhibition tennis match with Tracy Austin against Lawrence McCutcheon and Lea Antonopolis in Clarement, California, for a sold-out crowd. His popularity led to appearances on the television series Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In in 1968; the Jackson 5's first TV special in 1971; a Buck Rogers in the 25th Century episode 'Olympiad'; and an episode of The White Shadow titled 'If Your Number's Up, Get Down'.
In Their Own Story
On November 15 of the 1960–61 season, Baylor etched his name in history by scoring 71 points against the New York Knicks while grabbing 25 rebounds. This broke his own record of 64 points set the previous November, making him the first NBA player to score more than 70 points in a game until Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 in 1962. The following season, Baylor's career took a unique turn when he was called to active duty as a United States Army Reservist at Fort Lewis, Washington. Unable to practice with the team or fly business class, he flew coach across the country on weekends to join the Lakers for games. Despite playing only 48 games, he averaged a staggering 38.3 points per game—the highest average in NBA history by any player other than Chamberlain—along with 18.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists. In Game Five of that season's Finals against the Boston Celtics, Baylor set the still-standing NBA record for points in an NBA Finals game with 61. Basketball historian James Fisher described this performance as: "Not bad for a part-time job," to which Baylor later admitted he "kind of enjoyed that season."
Reader's Guide
As a rookie in 1958–59, Baylor finished fourth in the league in scoring (24.9 points per game), third in rebounding (15.0 rebounds per game), and eighth in assists (4.1 assists per game). He scored 55 points in a single game, then the third-highest mark in league history behind Joe Fulks' 63 and Mikan's 61. On November 15 of the 1960–61 season, Baylor set an NBA scoring record when he scored 71 points in a victory against the New York Knicks, while also grabbing 25 rebounds. In doing so, Baylor became the first NBA player to score more than 70 points in a game, breaking his own NBA record of 64 points that he had set the previous November. Baylor held the record until 1962, when Chamberlain scored 100 points.
Did You Know?
- Baylor was named after the Elgin National Watch Company, who made his father's favorite watch.
- He dropped out of high school for a year to work in a furniture store and play basketball in local recreational leagues.
- Baylor scored 63 points in a game on February 3, 1954, breaking the previous DC-area record of 52 set by Jim Wexler.
- He was the first African-American player named first-team Washington All-Metropolitan.
- Baylor led the NCAA in rebounding for both the 1956–57 and 1957–58 seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Elgin Baylor?
Elgin Baylor was a revolutionary forward who served as the first true superstar for the Lakers franchise, originally drafted by Minneapolis before moving west. His electrifying athleticism redefined the position and laid the foundation for the team's future identity.
What made his playing style so unique?
He turned the court into a canvas by introducing high-flying dunks that were unprecedented in his era. This acrobatic approach created the DNA for the Showtime aesthetic decades later while establishing him as an original high-flyer.
Did Elgin Baylor ever win a Finals MVP?
Although he played during the first two seasons of the award, he never secured the honor because his team lost those specific championship series. The recognition came too late for many of his prime runs where no such individual trophy existed to be won.
How many All-Star selections did he earn?
Baylor was selected as an NBA All-Star eleven times throughout his illustrious playing career. This consistent selection underscores his status as one of the league's most dominant and reliable players during that period.
Why did his career end so abruptly?
His legendary flight was silenced when a severe back injury forced him to retire early while still performing at an elite level. He subsequently transitioned into coaching and front-office roles, remaining deeply connected to the organization's legacy.
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