JD_logo3.png

A Shooting Star Cut Short

Basketball Hall of Fame | A Shooting Star Cut Short
Page Blog Posts

Our Book is Out!
Who was the MOST DOMINANT team in Pro Football History? We have the answer in the latest Pigskin Dispatch book

The World's Greatest Pro Gridiron Team
Email:  pigskindispatch@gmail.com Phone/Text:  814-636-0745
Please note, that we include affiliate links to support the maintenance and development of this site and to help promote our guests and fellow sports historians. Your support is appreciated! _________________________
Please note, we may include affiliate links within this post to support the maintenance and development of this site.

Pigskin Dispatch
Your Portal to Positive Football History. We have an extensive library of posts and podcasts on the history of North American Football. From the innovators, teams, and coaches to legendary players, we cover them all with new items daily!

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Calling all Hoops fans! Prepare to step onto the hallowed court of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Over the next series of posts, we'll be honoring the elite few, the immortals who have carved their names into the very fabric of the sport.

These are the players – the sky-walking slam dunkers, the silky smooth shooters, the defensive titans – whose brilliance, dedication, and impact on the game have earned them a place among basketball royalty. The few legendary players of thousands that are held in such high esteem that they are forever remembered in the museum of basketball greats.

From the pioneers who laid the groundwork on dusty playgrounds to the modern marvels redefining the game on the global stage, the Hall of Fame boasts a pantheon of legends. We'll delve into their remarkable stories and bios.


The Unfulfilled Promise of Bob Houbregs

Bob Houbregs' story in basketball is a bittersweet one. A dominant collegiate player with a tantalizing glimpse of NBA stardom, his career was tragically cut short by injury, leaving behind a legacy of "what if."

Houbregs' journey began at the University of Washington, where he established himself as a force to be reckoned with. Standing at a formidable 6-foot-8, he possessed a rare combination of size, athleticism, and shooting prowess. Nicknamed "The Golden Brett" after his father Bobby Houbregs, a baseball player, he was known for his powerful one-handed jumpshot, a rarity in the 1950s. In his senior year, he averaged a staggering 34.8 points per game in the postseason, leading the Washington Huskies to the Final Four and earning him the title of NCAA Player of the Year.

Drafted second overall by the Milwaukee Hawks in 1953, NBA expectations were high. Houbregs didn't disappoint in his rookie season, showcasing his offensive skills and averaging a respectable 9.3 points per game. He seemed poised to become a cornerstone for the young franchise.

However, fate intervened in December 1955. During a game against the Knicks, Houbregs collided with a basket support, suffering a devastating back injury. He underwent surgery and missed the remainder of the season. While he attempted a comeback the following season, the injury significantly hampered his mobility and explosiveness. After playing just eight games in 1956-57, Houbregs was forced to retire at the age of 24, his NBA career tragically cut short.

Despite the brevity of his professional career, Houbregs' impact is undeniable. He holds the record for the highest scoring average in a single NCAA tournament (minimum four games) at 34.8 points per game. His influence extended beyond statistics – his one-handed jumpshot inspired future generations of players.

Bob Houbregs' legacy serves as a reminder of the fragility of athletic careers. He was a player with immense potential, destined for greatness, whose trajectory was tragically altered by injury.

Born March 12, 1932, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada was Bob Houbregs, a Basketball Hall of Fame Center and Power Forward drafted by the Milwaukee Hawks, in 1st round (3rd pick, 3rd overall), of the 1953 NBA Draft. Bob was Inducted as Player in 1987 to the Hall of Fame. He wore the jersey number of 14, 10, 20, 8, and 17. Houbregs played college basketball at the University of Washington.

2024-04-28

April 28 Numbers

.640px-Frank_Robinson_1961.jpg

Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 20 - 21 - 1 April 28, 1901 - Cleveland Blue's pitcher Bock Baker had a really bad day on the mound. The left hander gave&...

  • The use of a "banner" counts as 10 words!

 

2024-04-28

Greg Kaliss' book Beyond the Black Power Salute gives us a s...

.Beyond_Power.jpg

Athletes have been using their positions and public stature to stand up for political and social justice beliefs quite a bit recently. Perhaps the era of the most frequency took place in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Author and historian Dr. Gregory J. Kaliss joins us to discuss this his...

  • The use of a "banner" counts as 10 words!

 

2024-04-27

April 27 Numbers

.Bud_Clancy.jpg

Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 3 - 4 - 5 - 32 - 12 - 11 - 30 April 27, 1926 -  Mel Ott, who during his career wore Numbers 3, 4 and 5 (but not until 19...

  • The use of a "banner" counts as 10 words!

 

2024-04-26

April 26 Numbers

.1904_Chicago_Cubs.jpg

Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 4 - 53 - 34 - 24 - 53 April 26, 1905 - Chicago Cubs left fielder, Jack McCarthy becomes only major league player to throw out...

  • The use of a "banner" counts as 10 words!

 

2024-04-25

April 25 Numbers

Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 2 - 14 - 1 - 18 - 34 April 25, 1901 - Erve Beck of the Cleveland Blues hit the American League's first home run. Ap...

 

2024-04-24

April 24 Numbers

.1962_Bell_Brand_Sandy_Koufax.jpg

Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore. 2 - 32 - 27 - 13 - 14 - 6 April 24, 1917 - New York Yankees left-hander George Mogridge, tossed a no-hit win against the...

  • The use of a "banner" counts as 10 words!

 

Remember Sports History Daily
You are only seconds away from receiving the Pigpen's Newsletter everyday filled with new items

[/br]SUBSCRIBE BY CLICKING  

Orville Mulligan: Sports Writer
We invite you to take a ride through 1920's sports history in the audio drama that takes the listener through the sounds and legendary events of the era through the eyes of a young newspaper journalist. You will feel like you were there! Brought to you by Number 80 Productions and Pigskin Dispatch
Please note, that we include affiliate links to support the maintenance and development of this site and to help promote our guests and fellow sports historians. Your support is appreciated! _________________________

Bears versus Cardinals: The NFL's Oldest Rivalry
Author Joe Ziemba the master historian of football in Chicago has released another beauty. It is titled Bears versus Cardinals: The NFL's Oldest Rivalry. _________________________

Hut! Hut! Hike! Book
Historian Timothy P. Brown has released another excellent book to help fill our football minds with knowledge. His latest is called Hut! Hut! Hike!: A History of Football Terminology.

[/br]more information _________________________

Posts on "Search"

GROUPS: PUBLICSITEGROUP