Elvin Hayes
Key Career Moment of Elvin Hayes
Elvin Hayes cemented his NBA legacy in the 1978 NBA Finals with the Washington Bullets.
His dominant Game 7 performance-20 points and 11 rebounds-helped secure the franchise's first and only championship. Earlier in his career, Hayes made history on November 13, 1968, scoring 54 points in his NBA debut, a rookie record that stood for over 50 years.
Elvin Ernest Hayes (born Novem), nicknamed "the Big E", is an American former professional basketball player and radio analyst for his alma mater Houston Cougars.
Big E was unstoppable in the paint-a true force of nature, said former teammate Wes Unseld.These moments solidified Hayes as one of basketball's all-time greats.
Unique Skill of Elvin Hayes
Elvin Hayes was renowned for his unblockable turnaround jumper, dubbed The Fallaway.
His combination of size, footwork, and high release made it nearly impossible to defend. Hayes also mastered the art of offensive rebounding, using his 6'9 frame and relentless hustle to dominate the glass.
Elvin Hayes's Stats
- 27,313 career points (11th all-time in NBA history)
- 16,279 career rebounds (4th all-time)
- 12-time NBA All-Star and 3-time All-NBA First Team
Elvin Hayes's Legacy in the NBA
Elvin Hayes's impact on basketball extends beyond stats.
ITEM: Elvin Hayes, despite all these glittering accomplishments, failed to get as much as a single third-place vote last season in balloting among his fellow pros for Most .
Nicknamed The Big E, he was a pioneer for power forwards, blending scoring, defense, and durability. A unique fact: Hayes missed just 9 games in his 16-year NBA career, earning the nickname The Iron Man. His rivalry with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the 1970s elevated the center position's importance. Today, Hayes's No.
11 jersey hangs in the rafters of Houston and Washington, honoring his Hall of Fame career and influence on generations of big men.