Last Updated on April 15, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here is the information about Keith Erickson:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Keith Erickson
  • Nickname: Not widely documented
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of Birth: April 19, 1944
  • Hometown: El Segundo, California, USA
  • Height: 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
  • Weight: 200 lbs (91 kg)
  • Wingspan: Not publicly available
  • Shoe Size: Not publicly available
  • Jersey Number (College and NBA):
    • #15 — UCLA Bruins men’s basketball
    • #15 — Los Angeles Lakers
    • #15 — Phoenix Suns
    • #15 — Chicago Bulls
  • Position: Shooting Guard / Small Forward
  • High School: El Segundo High School (California)
  • College: UCLA Bruins men’s basketball
  • NBA Draft:
    • Team: Los Angeles Lakers
    • Year: 1965
    • Pick: 2nd Round, 12th Overall
  • Player Archetype: Two-way perimeter role player
  • Primary Offensive Role: Secondary scorer / off-ball cutter
  • Defensive Role: Perimeter defender guarding wings
  • Play Style: Fundamentals-driven, team-oriented wing with balanced scoring and defense
  • Handedness / Shooting Hand: Right-handed
  • Athletic Profile: Above-average mobility for his era; fluid stride with solid coordination rather than elite explosiveness
  • Recruiting Status: Not formally ranked (pre-modern recruiting era)
  • Draft Status Detail: Established UCLA contributor under John Wooden; valued for versatility and winning pedigree
  • Injury Status Category: No major career-defining injuries widely documented
  • Career Stage: Retired
  • Comparison Style: Classic 1960s–70s glue wing; comparable stylistically to role-based two-way wings rather than primary stars
  • Teams Played For:
    • Los Angeles Lakers (1965–1969)
    • Phoenix Suns (1968–1969, expansion overlap)
    • Chicago Bulls (1969–1970)
    • Milwaukee Bucks (1970–1971)
  • Championship Rings: 0 (NBA)
  • Parents: Not publicly available
  • Children: Not publicly available
  • Siblings: Not publicly available
  • Retirement Age: 27
  • Retirement Year: 1971

Keith Erickson’s player archetype was that of a dependable two-way wing who filled gaps rather than dominated possessions, operating primarily as a secondary offensive option while taking on consistent perimeter defensive assignments. At 6’5” with solid length and coordination, he relied more on positioning, timing, and awareness than raw athleticism, contributing through off-ball movement, mid-range scoring, and disciplined team defense. His offensive role centered on fitting within structured systems—cutting, spacing, and capitalizing on opportunities—while defensively he was tasked with containing opposing wings and maintaining scheme integrity. The overall play style reflected a fundamentally sound, low-usage contributor typical of championship-caliber UCLA systems, translating into a steady but understated NBA presence.

Fun Facts

  • Keith Erickson was a multi-sport athlete, excelling in basketball and volleyball.
  • He played a crucial role on the Lakers’ record-setting 1971-72 championship team, which won 33 consecutive games.
  • Post-retirement, Erickson became a respected broadcaster and commentator for basketball.

Sources:
Basketball Reference — Keith Erickson Stats
RealGM — Keith Erickson Player Profile
UCLA Athletics — UCLA Men’s Basketball History and Records