Jim Pollard
(1922-1993)
Hall of Fame Induction: 1978
Card Shown:
2009-10 Panini Hall of Fame
Position: SF
Height: 6’4″
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Jim Pollard, nicknamed “The Kangaroo Kid” because of his amazing leaping ability, was also a strong shooter. He played at Stanford under Hall of Fame coach Everett Dean. Both in college and in the pros Jim was viewed as a terrific teammate, placing the success of his team above any individual goals. He starred on the Lakers dynasty teams of the early 1950s which won six championships in three different leagues. After his playing career was over Jim went on to coach for a number of different teams before becoming a math and physical education teacher.
Awards and Honors
- Jim led Oakland Technical High School to three conference titles from 1937-1940. In his senior year he averaged 19.8 points per game in seven games and was named an All-American.
- Pollard returned from military service during World War II and was twice named and AAU All-American before he joined the Minneapolis Lakers.
- Pollard was an NBA All-Star four times (1951, 1952, 1954, 1955).
- He was also named All-League four times, once in the BAA (First Team in 1948-49) and three times in the NBA (First Team in 1949-50 and Second Team in both 1951-52 and 1953-54).
- Jim won six championships with the Minneapolis Lakers in three different leagues. The Lakers won the National Basketball League (NBL) Championship in 1948, the Basketball Association of America (BAA) Championship in 1949 and National Basketball Association (NBA) Championships in 1950, 1952, 1953, and 1954.
Points of Interest
- On the Lakers Jim Pollard teamed with future Hall of Famers George Mikan and Vern Mikkelsen to form one of the best frontcourts in NBA history. Future Hall of Famers Slater Martin, Clyde Lovellette, and coach John Kundla were also members of the Lakers when Pollard played for them.
- It was reported that Jim could touch the top of the backboard and dunk from the foul line. His freakish athleticism was perhaps 30 years ahead of his time and foreshadowed the athletic players that were to follow him into the NBA.
- In 1963 Pollard was selected as one of the Top 10 professional players of all time by a group of basketball writers.
- Jim Pollard averaged 13.1 points, 5.0 rebounds (rebounds stats were not officially kept until 1950), and 3.2 assists, all while playing second fiddle to George Mikan on those powerful Laker teams.
- After he retired from pro basketball, Jim coached at La Salle College. He later became General Manager and Coach of the 1959-60 Los Angeles Lakers where he drafted Jerry West (“the Logo,” future Hall of Famer, and future Lakers GM).
Statistics
Jim Pollard Statistics
provided by Basketball-Reference.com
Jim Pollard
Signed Program Page
Jim Pollard Signed First Day Cover
Jim Pollard Videos
There is very little footage of Jim Pollard available. Here is a short video from the 1954 NBA All-Star Game. Look for Pollard #17.