NBA's Greatest Players in History: George Mikan

• 7-time champion across NBL, BAA, and NBA
• First player to score 10,000 career points in professional basketball
• 6-time NBA scoring champion
• Member of the 75th Anniversary Team

George Mikan was professional basketball's first true superstar, dominating the game in its early years and helping establish the NBA as a major sport.

Overview

George Mikan's impact on basketball is difficult to overstate. Standing 6'10" with an imposing physique, Mikan revolutionized the centre position and dominated the nascent NBA like no player before him. His overwhelming success in the late 1940s and early 1950s helped legitimise professional basketball and laid the foundation for the NBA to become a major sports league.

Career snapshot

Mikan began his professional career in 1946 with the Chicago American Gears of the National Basketball League (NBL). He quickly established himself as the most dominant player in the league, leading the Gears to the 1947 NBL championship. When the team folded in 1947, Mikan joined the Minneapolis Lakers of the NBL.

The Lakers moved to the Basketball Association of America (BAA) in 1948, which merged with the NBL to form the NBA in 1949. Mikan led the Lakers to NBA championships in 1950, 1952, 1953, and 1954. He retired in 1954 but made a brief comeback in the 1955-56 season before retiring for good.

Playing style

Mikan's size and skill made him virtually unstoppable in an era when most players were under 6'5". He perfected the hook shot with both hands, making it his signature move. Mikan was also an excellent rebounder and shot-blocker, dominating both ends of the court.

His prowess around the basket was so overwhelming that the NBA had to change its rules to make the game more competitive. The league widened the lane from 6 feet to 12 feet in 1951 to make it harder for Mikan to camp near the basket. This rule change became known as the "Mikan Rule."

Why George Mikan is on our list

Mikan's dominance and celebrity status helped put professional basketball on the map in America. He was the sport's first superstar, drawing large crowds wherever he played. His success with the Minneapolis Lakers established one of the NBA's first dynasties and set the template for future dominant big men.

Mikan's impact extended beyond his on-court achievements. He served as the first president of the American Basketball Association (ABA) and was instrumental in bringing professional basketball back to Minnesota with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1989.

Five Fast Facts

1. Mikan led the league in scoring three times in the BAA/NBA and won the scoring title in all three of his NBL seasons
2. He was named to the All-BAA/NBA First Team six times
3. Mikan was the first player to score 10,000 points in professional basketball
4. He averaged 22.6 points and 13.4 rebounds per game over his BAA/NBA career
5. Mikan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959, its inaugural class

Career Highlights Timeline

1946: Began professional career with Chicago American Gears in NBL

1947: Won NBL championship with Chicago American Gears

1948: Joined Minneapolis Lakers, led team to NBL championship

1949: Led Lakers to BAA championship as league's top scorer (28.3 ppg)

1950: Won first NBA championship, led league in scoring (27.4 ppg)

1951: Led Lakers to second straight NBA title

1952: Won third consecutive NBA championship

1953: Captured fourth straight NBA title, led league in rebounding (14.4 rpg)

1954: Won fifth NBA championship in six years, retired for first time

1956: Briefly returned to Lakers before retiring for good

George Mikan's legacy as the NBA's first superstar and dominant big man continues to resonate decades after his playing career. His combination of size, skill, and competitive drive set the standard for future generations of centre and helped establish the NBA as a major professional sports league. Mikan's impact on basketball rules, playing style, and the sport's popularity make him an essential figure in any discussion of the most dominant players in NBA history.

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