Joe Fulks
(1921-1976)
Hall of Fame Induction: 1978
Card Shown:
2009-10 Panini Hall of Fame
Position: SF
Height: 6’5″
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Joe Fulks, also known as “Jumpin’ Joe,” was an explosive scorer who forever changed the trajectory of the modern game of basketball. He didn’t invent the jump shot but Joe was the innovator who left the traditional one-handed and two-handed set shots for a variety of dazzling jumpers. He would often jump and spin in the air before releasing a one-handed jumper. Fulks was the first to use the jumper regularly in the pros.
Awards and Honors
- In 1943 Joe was named an NAIA All American while playing at Murray State.
- He played in the first two NBA All-Star games in 1951 and 1952.
- In 1970 Fulks was named to the NBA 25th Anniversary team with a number of other early basketball stars including George Mikan, Bob Cousy, Bill Russell and Dolph Schayes.
- In his rookie season in 1946-47 and again in 1947-48, Joe led the Basketball Association of America (the BAA before the name was changed to the NBA) in scoring with averages of 23.1 and 22.1 points per game, respectively.
- The 1947 BAA Championship was won by Fulks and the Philadelphia Warriors. They beat the Chicago Stags four games to one.
Points of Interest
- As a result of his prolific scoring and his revolutionary style of play Joe was known as “the Babe Ruth of basketball.”
- Joe was a fantastic free throw shooter. In 1950-51 he twice made 49 free throws in a row. That year he led the NBA in free throw percentage with an 85.5% mark.
- During the 1946-47 season, before the shot clock and the high-scoring games that are now the norm, Joe averaged 23.2 points per game. This was 6.4 points better than his nearest competitor.
- In 1949 Fulks scored 63 points in a game, a record that was to last for a decade. The Lakers Elgin Baylor eventually broke his record with a 64 point night against the Celtics in 1959.
- Joe retired in 1954 (at age 32) as the NBA’s second leading career scorer behind George Mikan.
- Joe was murdered in 1976 in an argument over a handgun. He died at 54 years of age, one year before he was elected to the Hall of Fame.
Statistics
Joe Fulks Statistics
provided by Basketball-Reference.com
Joe Fulks Custom Cut Signature Card
