Spencer Haywood
(Born 1949)
Hall of Fame Induction: 2015
Card Shown:
2015 Panini
Hall of Fame
Position: PF
Height: 6’8″
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Spencer Haywood was one of the best basketball players of his era. Although often underrated, Spencer dominated the ABA in his one season with the Denver Rockets. His career continued to blossom in the NBA where he was a top scorer and rebounder.
However, Haywood is often remembered more for his court battle with the NBA than the remarkable play that he exhibited on the basketball court. The Supreme Court ultimately ruled that Spencer should be allowed to enter the NBA at an earlier age than NBA rules allowed so that he could support his family. His legal victory changed the trajectory of the NBA forever.
Awards and Honors
- Living with his brother in Detroit, Haywood led Pershing High School to the 1967 Michigan Class A championship.
- In 1968, Spencer led Team USA to a perfect 9-0 record and the gold medal at the Olympics in Mexico City. He led the team in scoring with 16.1 points per game. Top scorers on that team also included Jo Jo White and Charlie Scott.
- After only two years of college, Spencer entered the world of professional basketball. He joined the Denver Rockets of the ABA and was named its 1969-70 Rookie of the Year.
- Haywood was also named Most Valuable Player in his only ABA season, beating out Rick Barry (2nd place), Mel Daniels (3rd), and Roger Brown (4th) for the award.
- Spencer was a four-time NBA All-Star selection from 1972-1975. He also was a two-time All-NBA First Team and a two-time All-NBA Second Team selection.
- Haywood won an NBA Championship in 1980 as a key reserve for the Los Angeles Lakers. That Lakers team featured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson (in his rookie year), and Jamaal Wilkes.
Points of Interest
- Spencer was one of ten children born into a culture of poverty and racism in the small town of Silver City, Mississippi in 1949. With his basketball talents he rose up from the cotton fields of Mississippi to become one of the best basketball players in the world.
- Haywood scored 145 points in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, a total that wasn’t surpassed until Kevin Durant scored 156 at the 2012 Olympics in London.
- In his rookie season, Spencer led the ABA in scoring (30 ppg) and rebounding (19.5 rpg). He also was tops in games played (84) and minutes played (45.3 mpg).
- In 1970-71, Haywood left the ABA to join the Seattle Supersonics of the NBA. His arrival broke NBA rules because Spencer’s class had not yet graduated from college. A legal battle ensued and the Supreme Court ultimately ruled that as a “hardship case” Spencer had the right to provide for his family. This ruling opened the door for future athletes like Moses Malone, Kevin Garnett, and Kobe Bryant to enter the NBA earlier than was previously possible.
- Spencer averaged over 20 points per game during his first five seasons in the NBA and finished his professional career (ABA and NBA) with averages of 20.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.
Statistics
Spencer Haywood Statistics
provided by Basketball-Reference.com
Personal Autograph Interactions
At the 2020 Hall of Fame Induction weekend, we met Spencer at the Sunday event at the Hall of Fame museum announcing the 2021 Hall of Fame class. Since we had not brought a card of Haywood with us, we asked him to sign one of our blank autograph cards.
At the 2023 Hall of Fame Induction weekend, we took a photo with Spencer at the Awards Gala on Friday night and then had our cards signed by him at the Panini autograph event at the Hall of Fame museum on Saturday afternoon. He signed my 1971-72 Topps rookie card and told us the story about why the jersey is turned around backwards on his card. He and Joshua had a longer conversation about different topics. Haywood was very personable and we enjoyed the opportunity to meet him.
Thank you, Spencer!
In-Person Autograph Photos
Spencer signed the blank card for me in 2021. The picture of Joshua, Spencer, and myself was taken at the Awards Gala in 2023. The 1971-72 Topps rookie card was signed at the official Panini autograph session in 2023.