Basketball Statistics Blog

Basketball Unforgettable Legends: Spencer Haywood

Spencer Haywood (born April 22, 1949, in Silver City, Mississippi) is a retired American professional basketball player.

In 1970, after forcing his way into the NBA through legal action (in a case, Haywood v. National Basketball Assn., that went all the way to the US Supreme Court), Haywood joined the Seattle SuperSonics. Haywood's court victory was bittersweet, however. During his first season with Seattle, Haywood was booed at several NBA arenas. At one arena, the public-address announcer even went so far as to announce "Ladies and gentlemen, we have an illegal player on the court (referring to Haywood)," during pre-game introductions.

Photograph: Vedia PhotoStream

Haywood was named to the All-NBA First Team in 1972 and 1973 and the All-NBA Second Team in 1974 and 1975. Haywood's 29.2 points per game in the 1972-73 season and 13.4 rebounds per game in 1973-74 are still the single-season record averages for the SuperSonics for these categories. Haywood played in four NBA All-Star Games while with Seattle, including a strong 23 point 11 rebound performance in 1974. In the 1974-75 season, he helped lead the SuperSonics to their first playoff berth. Overall, during his five seasons with Seattle, Haywood averaged 24.9 points per game and 12.1 rebounds per game.

In 1975, the Supersonics traded him to the New York Knicks where he teamed with Bob McAdoo. Haywood later played for the New Orleans Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers, and Washington Bullets. He earned a championship ring with the Lakers in the 1979-80 season, but didn't play any of their post-season games due to a suspension for illegal drug use. He was previously married to Somali supermodel Iman.

Haywood's #24 jersey was retired by the SuperSonics during a halftime ceremony on February 26, 2007.

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