• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

HOF BB Players

Hall of Fame Basketball Players

Get HOF Player Checklists GO

  • HomeWelcome!
  • AboutHOF BB PLAYERS.com
  • The PlayersHOF BB Players
    • Hall of Fame Basketball Players (Alphabetical)
    • Hall of Fame Basketball Players by Induction Year
  • BlogBasketball and Collecting
    • Springfield Quest 2020 – Part 01
    • Springfield Quest 2020 – Part 2
  • BB FansInfo and Resources
    • HOF Basketball Fan Videos
    • Basketball Timeline
    • Basketball Reference
    • My Favorite Basketball Books
    • My Favorite Basketball Videos
    • Quizzes
    • Polls and Surveys
  • CollectorsInfo and Resources
    • HOF Basketball Collector Videos
  • ContactHave a Question?

Jim Pollard

Jim Pollard

Jim Pollard
(1922-1993)

Hall of Fame Induction: 1978

Card Shown:
2009-10 Panini Hall of Fame

Position: SF
Height: 6’4″

bb

bb

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 - Hall of Fame Basketball Player

Jim Pollard Signed First Day Cover

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.

Primary Sidebar

Introducing the 2025 HOF Class

Click on the card picture to visit that player’s profile.

Carmelo Anthony – 2025 HOF Enshrinement

Carmelo Anthony - Hall of Fame Basketball Player

Dwight Howard – 2025 HOF Enshrinement

Dwight Howard - Hall of Fame Basketball Player

Maya Moore – 2025 HOF Enshrinement

Maya Moore - Hall of Fame Basketball Player

Sue Bird – 2025 HOF Enshrinement

Sue Bird - Hall of Fame Basketball Player

Sylvia Fowles – 2025 HOF Enshrinement

Sylvia Fowles - Hall of Fame Basketball Player

Rick Barry

Rick Barry - Hall of Fame Basketball Player

Michael Cooper - Hall of Fame Basketball Player

Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan - Hall of Fame Basketball Player

The Best Basketball Players to Ever Play the Game Are Here

Check out their profiles, autographed cards, and videos!

GO NOW
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Research Credits

Copyright HOF BB PLAYERS.com © 2025