Last Updated on April 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here’s the detailed information on Bailey Howell:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Bailey E. Howell
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: 86 years old (Born on January 20, 1937)
  • Hometown: Middleton, Tennessee, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 7 inches (201 cm)
  • Weight: 210 lbs (95 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 8 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 15 (US)
  • Number: 18 (with the Boston Celtics), also wore 8 and 19 with other teams
  • Position: Power Forward / Small Forward
  • High School: Middleton High School in Middleton, Tennessee
  • College: Mississippi State University
  • NBA Draft: 1959 NBA Draft, 1st round, 2nd overall pick by the Detroit Pistons
  • Teams Played For:
    • Detroit Pistons (1959–1964)
    • Baltimore Bullets (1964–1966)
    • Boston Celtics (1966–1970)
    • Philadelphia 76ers (1970–1971)
  • Championship Rings: 2 NBA Championships with the Boston Celtics (1968, 1969)
  • Kids: Information on children is not widely publicized
  • Siblings: Information on siblings is not widely publicized

Player Archetype / Play Style

Bailey Howell’s player archetype was that of a versatile scoring power forward, a frontcourt player who paired dependable inside production with enough touch and mobility to impact the game beyond simple paint finishes. At 6-foot-7, he had a strong, athletic build that helped him rebound in traffic, hold position around the basket, and play through contact, while his offensive role centered on efficient scoring from close range, second-chance work, and a polished face-up game for his era. Defensively, he operated as a sturdy interior forward who cleaned the glass, matched up physically, and brought steady effort rather than flashy playmaking, and his overall style was built on consistency, toughness, and two-way reliability. Howell was not a volume-dominant creator in the modern sense, but he was the kind of skilled, high-motor forward who could fit beside stars and still deliver real scoring and rebounding value on winning teams.

Sources:

Basketball-Reference — Bailey Howell Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame — Bailey Howell
NBA.com — Season Review: 1967-68