Last Updated on April 17, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here’s the detailed information on Vern Mikkelsen:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Arild Verner Agerskov Mikkelsen
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born on October 21, 1928 – Died on November 21, 2013
  • Hometown: Parsons, Kansas, USA (raised in Askov, Minnesota, USA)
  • Height: 6 feet 7 inches (201 cm)
  • Weight: 230 lbs (104 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 8 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 14 (US)
  • Number: Wore 19 throughout his career
  • Position: Power Forward / Center
  • High School: Askov High School (Askov, Minnesota)
  • College: Hamline University (1945–1949)
  • NBA Draft: 1949 BAA Draft, selected 2nd round, 10th overall by the Minneapolis Lakers
  • Teams Played For:
    • Minneapolis Lakers (1949–1959)
  • Championship Rings:
    • 4 NBA Championships (1950, 1952, 1953, 1954)
  • Kids: Vern Mikkelsen had three children.
  • Siblings: Information about his siblings is not widely documented.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Vern Mikkelsen’s player archetype was that of a rugged power forward, the kind of early-era frontcourt player who mixed rebounding, interior scoring, and hard-nosed defense without much need for flair. At 6-foot-7 and 230 pounds, he had a strong, sturdy build for his time, and he played with the physical edge you would expect from a foundational big on a championship team. Offensively, his role was built around finishing inside, working off second chances, drawing contact, and supplying steady scoring next to higher-profile teammates rather than serving as the focal point of an offense. Defensively, he brought value as a bruising interior presence who battled for position, cleaned the glass, and handled the dirty work in the paint. The overall play style was forceful, reliable, and team-oriented, which is a big part of why he fit so well on those dominant Minneapolis Lakers teams. (Basketball Reference)

Sources:

Basketball-Reference — Vern Mikkelsen Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame — Hall of Famers :: The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
NBA.com — Los Angeles Lakers | Season Capsule
Encyclopaedia Britannica — Los Angeles Lakers | History, Owner, Sale, & Notable Players