Last Updated on July 28, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Mike Farmer was a dependable NBA center whose rebounding, interior defense, and physical frontcourt play provided valuable depth for the St. Louis Hawks and Cincinnati Royals during the late 1950s and early 1960s. A traditional paint-oriented big man, Farmer contributed through screening, rim protection, and efficient work around the basket in an era dominated by physical post play.

Here is the detailed profile of Mike Farmer:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: James Michael Farmer
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born on September 26, 1936 – Passed away on March 30, 2020
  • Hometown: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 meters)
  • Weight: 210 pounds (95 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 8 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 14 (US)
  • Number: 15, 12, 5
  • Position: Small forward / Power forward
  • High School: Capitol Hill High School (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
  • College: University of San Francisco (1955–1958)
  • NBA Draft: 1958, 1st round, 3rd overall pick by the New York Knicks
  • Teams Played For:
    • New York Knicks (1958–1961)
    • Cincinnati Royals (1961–1963)
    • St. Louis Hawks (1963–1966)
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Kids: Information about his children is not widely publicized.
  • Siblings: Information about his siblings is not widely available.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Mike Farmer’s player archetype was that of a defense-first wing-forward, a rugged two-way frontcourt piece whose game leaned on rebounding, physicality, and disruptive half-court defense more than polished shot creation. Defensively, he was known as an alert, aggressive stopper who could battle bigger players, contest inside, and help control possessions with his work on the glass, while offensively he operated as a complementary scorer built around a functional mid-range jumper, a close-range hook, and opportunistic finishing rather than high-volume isolation play. At 6’7″ and about 210 pounds, Farmer had solid size for his era, with the strength and toughness to play through contact and the mobility to handle forward duties on both ends. His overall play style was competitive, unselfish, and fundamentally sound, fitting the mold of a hard-nosed team player who impacted games through defense, rebounding, and efficient support scoring.

Scouting Report

Mike Farmer played with the mentality of a forward who believed every possession should end closer to the basket than where it began. There wasn’t much wasted movement. He looked to establish early post position, sprinted the floor in transition and attacked the offensive glass with purpose instead of waiting for the play to develop around him. What stands out is how effectively he used angles rather than overwhelming strength to create scoring chances, sealing defenders just as the ball changed sides and giving his guards an easy passing target before the defence could fully recover. His offensive game stayed fairly compact—hooks, short turnaround jumpers and quick finishes around the rim—but he executed those actions with enough consistency that defenders couldn’t simply ignore him. The trade-off was that he wasn’t someone you wanted initiating offence from the high post or creating against loaded defences. Once extra help arrived, the reads became more deliberate and the possession usually moved back to a perimeter playmaker. Defensively, I always liked the physical edge he brought inside. He fought for position before the catch, made post scorers work for every seal and understood that forcing an opponent two feet farther from the rim often mattered more than chasing a blocked shot. As the low man he rotated on time, showed his body early and generally preferred taking away direct paths to the basket over gambling for steals. His foot speed could be tested when dragged into repeated screening actions or forced to defend away from the paint, so his best basketball came alongside mobile teammates who could absorb those matchups while allowing him to anchor the interior. To me, his game carries similarities to Leroy Ellis in the straightforward blend of rebounding, interior scoring and physical defence, while there are also echoes of Gene Tormohlen in the willingness to embrace a complementary frontcourt role built on positioning, toughness and making the simple play at the right moment.

Sources:
Basketball-Reference.com — Mike Farmer Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
USF Dons — Don Michael Farmer (1971) – Hall of Fame
USF Dons — Dons All-Time Roster: Small Forward