Jim Pollard

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Pollard attended Oakland Technical High School in Oakland, California, leading the 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 coach Everett Dean, helping the team win the 1942 national championship, though he did not play in the championship game due to illness. His college career was interrupted by World War II; he served in the United States Coast Guard from 1942 to 1946, starring on the Coast Guard basketball team. He later graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1954. After the war, he played amateur basketball for the San Diego Dons and Oakland Bittners, leading the AAU in scoring and earning MVP honors both years. He also played amateur baseball for Jordan, Minnesota's Town Team during his NBA career.

In Their Own Story

Before joining the Lakers, Pollard served in the United States Coast Guard from 1942 to 1946 after his college career was cut short by World War II. While stationed in Alameda, he starred for the Coast Guard basketball team, winning a Northern California title in 1943 and the Service League championship in 1946. His amateur basketball path included leading the San Diego Dons and Oakland Bittners of the Amateur Athletic Union to runner-up finishes in national tournaments both seasons, where he also led the AAU in scoring and earned MVP honors each year. Uniquely, Pollard maintained a parallel amateur baseball career with Jordan, Minnesota's Town Team during his NBA years. He was reputed as "a good pitcher and a powerful hitter," famously hitting a ball that landed in a passing freight train's gondola car and didn't stop until it reached Chicago.

Reader's Guide

Pollard began his professional career in 1947 with the Minneapolis Lakers in the National Basketball League. He was part of a frontcourt with center George Mikan and power forward Vern Mikkelsen, along with fellow Hall of Famer Slater Martin at shooting guard. 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-NBA First Team in 1949 and 1950, and 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 playing, he coached at La Salle University (48–28 record over three seasons), served as interim head coach of the Minneapolis Lakers in 1959–60 (14–25 record), coached the Chicago Packers in 1961 (18–62 record), and coached the Minnesota Muskies (50–24) and Miami Floridians (43–35) in the ABA, before being fired midway through the 1969–70 season.

Did You Know?

• Pollard earned the nickname 'The Kangaroo Kid' for his leaping ability.
• He could reportedly touch the top of the backboard and dunk from the foul line.
• Pollard was a five-time champion with the Minneapolis Lakers across three leagues (NBL, BAA, NBA).
• He also played amateur baseball and once hit a ball that landed in a passing freight train's gondola car.