Last Updated on January 10, 2025 by Mathew Diekhake

Here is the detailed information about George Mikan:

Personal Information:

  • Full Name: George Lawrence Mikan Jr.
  • Nationality: American (Joliet, Illinois)
  • DOB: Born June 18, 1924 – Passed away on June 1, 2005, at the age of 80
  • Hometown: Joliet, Illinois, USA

Physical Attributes:

  • Height: 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
  • Weight: 245 lbs (111 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 ft 1 in (2.15m)
  • Shoe Size: Size 16 (US)
  • Number: Wore #99 during his career

Basketball Career:

  • Honors: Lakers Legend
  • Position: Center
  • High School:
    • Quigley Preparatory Seminary (Chicago, Illinois)
    • Joliet Catholic High School (Joliet, Illinois)
  • College:
  • DePaul University (1942–1946)
    • Led DePaul to the NIT Championship in 1945
    • Twice named Consensus First-Team All-American (1945, 1946)
  • Teams Played For:
    • Chicago American Gears (1946–1947, NBL)
    • Minneapolis Lakers (1947–1956, BAA/NBA)
  • Career Highlights:
    • 5× NBA Champion (1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954)
    • NBA All-Star Game MVP (1953)
    • 4× All-Star (1951–1954)
    • 6× All-BAA/NBA First Team (1949–1954)
    • 2× NBL MVP (1947, 1948)
    • NBA Scoring Champion (1949, 1950, 1951)
    • Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959 (as part of its inaugural class)
  • Career Statistics:
    • Averaged 23.1 points and 9.5 rebounds per game during his professional career.
    • Mikan’s dominant style of play led to rule changes, including the widening of the lane (known as the “Mikan Rule”) to 12 feet to reduce his impact near the basket.
  • Post-Playing Career:
    • After retiring, George Mikan worked as a lawyer and was involved in basketball administration.
    • He played a key role in the formation of the American Basketball Association (ABA) and served as its first commissioner from 1967–1969.
    • Mikan was instrumental in the merger of the ABA and NBA.

Personal Life:

  • Championship Rings: 5 NBA Championships with the Minneapolis Lakers (1949, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954), establishing the Lakers’ dynasty long before the team’s move to Los Angeles.
  • Kids: George Mikan had six children, including his son Larry Mikan, who briefly played professional basketball.
  • Siblings: George Mikan had a brother, Ed Mikan, who also played professional basketball in the NBA for a few seasons.