Wes Unseld
(1946-2020)
Hall of Fame Induction: 1988
Card Shown:
2009-10 Panini Hall of Fame
Famed Signatures
Position: C/PF
Height: 6’7″
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Wes Unseld was a tough, undersized center who successfully battled the best in the game at his position. Unseld more than held his own against the great centers of his day, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Willis Reed, and Wilt Chamberlain. Unseld was a tenacious defender and rebounder. He was one of the best outlet passers that the NBA has ever seen. After starring in both high school and college in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, Wes began a long and storied association with the Bullets (now the Wizards). He became a Bullets icon and perhaps the most recognizable figure in the history of the franchise.
Awards and Honors
- Wes played high school basketball at Seneca High School in Louisville, Kentucky and led that team to two state championships. His 1963 high school team included four players that would go on to play in the NBA: Unseld, Clem Haskins, Greg Smith, and Bobby Washington.
- In college, Unseld remained in his hometown to star at the University of Louisville. While there, he led the Cardinals to the postseason three times and was an NCAA AP All-America First Team selection in both 1966-67 and 1967-68.
- In 1968-69, Wes won the NBA Rookie of the Year and the NBA Most Valuable Player awards. He became only the second player in NBA history, after Wilt Chamberlain (in 1959-60) to accomplish this feat. Wes was also an All-NBA First Team selection that year.
- Unseld was an NBA All-Star five times during his thirteen-year NBA career. He played exclusively for the Bullets, both in Baltimore and Washington.
- In 1978, Wes teamed with Elvin Hayes to lead the Washington Bullets to the NBA championship. For his outstanding play, Unseld was named the Finals MVP.
- Unseld was recognized with the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award in 1974-75. The award, presented by the Professional Basketball Writers Association, is given annually to a player, coach, or trainer who demonstrates outstanding service and dedication to the community.
Points of Interest
- Wes’s original career plans included becoming a teacher, but that changed when the Bullets selected him with the 2nd overall pick in the first round of the 1968 NBA Draft.
- Before Unseld joined the Bullets, they had never had a winning season. In his first year with the Bullets, Wes teamed with Earl Monroe, Kevin Loughery, and Gus Johnson to lead Baltimore to a 57-25 record and a trip to the NBA playoffs. During Unseld’s time with the team, the Bullets had ten winning seasons and made twelve consecutive playoff appearances.
- Unseld finished his NBA career with averages of 10.8 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game.
- Wes was honored as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996.
- After his retirement from pro basketball, Unseld remained with the Bullets and served as a Vice President. He went on to coach the Bullets for seven seasons, earning NBA Coach of the Month honors in January of 1988. In speaking of his long-term affiliation with the Bullets, Wes once told a Sports Illustrated reporter, “I’m a Bullet, I’ve always been a Bullet, and I always will be.”
Statistics
Wes Unseld Statistics
provided by Basketball-Reference.com