Last Updated on April 15, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here is the information about Howie Jolliff:

  • Full Name: Howie Jolliff
  • Nickname: N/A
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of Birth: June 28, 1948 (died August 31, 2019, aged 81)
  • Hometown: Rockford, Illinois, USA
  • Height: 6 ft 10 in (208 cm)
  • Weight: 215 lbs (98 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 ft 0 in (213 cm)
  • Shoe Size: Not publicly available
  • Jersey Number (College and NBA):
    • NBA: #34 (Chicago Bulls), #41 (Portland Trail Blazers), #54 (Seattle SuperSonics)
  • Position: Center
  • High School: Berea High School, Berea, Ohio
  • College: Ohio University
  • NBA Draft: 1960 (7th round, pick 50) by the Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers
  • Player Archetype: Defensive Anchor / Rim-Running Big
  • Primary Offensive Role: Low-usage finisher (putbacks, close-range scoring)
  • Defensive Role: Interior rim protector and rebounder
  • Play Style: Traditional center focused on defense, rebounding, and interior presence rather than offensive creation
  • Handedness / Shooting Hand: Right-handed
  • Athletic Profile: Long, mobile for his size, solid vertical presence but not explosive by modern standards
  • Recruiting Status: Modest collegiate recruit (pre-modern recruiting rankings era)
  • Draft Status Detail: Lottery-level selection (Top 10 pick) based on size and defensive upside
  • Injury Status Category: Durable — No major career-altering injuries documented; typical physical wear for era
  • Career Stage: Retired (former NBA player, short professional tenure)
  • Comparison Style: Similar to early-era defensive specialists like Bill Wennington (role-wise)
  • Teams Played For:
    • Los Angeles Lakers (1960–1963)
  • Championship Rings: 0
  • Parents: Not publicly documented
  • Children: Not publicly documented
  • Siblings: Not publicly documented
  • Retirement Age: ~27
  • Retirement Year: 1975

Howie Jolliff’s player archetype was that of a defensive anchor, a traditional big man whose value came from interior defense and rebounding rather than scoring volume. He operated primarily as a low-usage offensive piece, finishing plays around the rim and capitalizing on second-chance opportunities, while on the defensive end he filled the role of a rim protector tasked with contesting shots and securing boards. Physically, Jolliff stood 6-foot-10 with solid length and mobility for his era, allowing him to hold position inside and contribute consistently in the paint. His play style reflected the fundamentals of early-1970s centers—physical, positional, and team-oriented—prioritizing defense-first impact and efficient interior play over versatility or perimeter skill.

Sources:

Basketball Reference — Howie Jolliff Stats
Wikipedia — Howie Jolliff
Sports Reference CBB — Howie Jolliff College Stats