Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here is the information about Jim McMillian:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: James M. McMillian
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Deceased (born March 11, 1948 – died May 16, 2016, aged 68)
  • Hometown: Raeford, North Carolina
  • Height: 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m)
  • Weight: 215 lbs (98 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 6 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 14 (US)
  • Number: Wore #5 and #11 during his career
  • Position: Small Forward
  • High School: Jefferson High School, Rochester, New York
  • College: Columbia University
  • NBA Draft: 1970, 1st Round, 13th pick overall by the Los Angeles Lakers
  • Teams Played For: Los Angeles Lakers, Buffalo Braves, New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers
  • Championship Rings: 1 (1972 with the Los Angeles Lakers)
  • Kids: Yes, but details are not widely publicized
  • Siblings: Not publicly documented

Player Archetype / Play Style

Jim McMillian’s player archetype was that of a scoring wing, a smooth forward who could rebound, run the floor, and give an offense dependable perimeter and midrange production without needing to dominate the ball. At 6-foot-5, he had solid size and length for a wing of his era, and that frame helped him operate as both a scorer and a useful defensive presence at forward. Defensively, McMillian fit best as a sturdy team defender who could hold his ground on the wing rather than a pure shutdown specialist, while offensively he brought value as a secondary scorer, transition finisher, and reliable half-court option with a polished jump shot. His overall play style was efficient, composed, and team-oriented, blending scoring touch with rebounding, smart movement, and the kind of adaptable wing play that made him a key part of high-level college and NBA teams. (Basketball Reference)

Fun Facts

  • He was part of the Los Angeles Lakers team that went on a 33-game win streak and won the 1972 NBA Championship.

Sources:

Basketball-Reference — Jim McMillian Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
AP News — Jim McMillian, forward on ’72 Lakers title team, dead at 68
Columbia Lions — SCHEDULE/RESULTS