Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

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.

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