Bailey Howell
Encyclopedia
Bailey E. Howell is a former professional basketball
player now enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. A 6'7" forward from Mississippi State University
, he played 12 seasons (1959–1971) in the NBA as a member of the Detroit Pistons
, Baltimore Bullets
, Boston Celtics
, and Philadelphia 76ers
. A six-time All-Star with 17,770 career points, he was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997. He won two NBA championships with the Boston Celtics
. The best years of his career were during his time with the Bullets and the Celtics.
Despite playing at the college level for only three years, Howell set and still holds Mississippi State records for single-game points scored, career scoring average, single-season and career free throws made, single-season and career free throws attempted, single-game free throw percentage, single-game rebounds, single-season rebounds, career rebounds, and single-season and career rebounding average. His scoring records are particularly impressive, since there was no three point line or shot clock at the time that he played. He is considered a legend to the Bulldog basketball faithful, and one of best-known players to have played at MSU. He is probably most known for his hook shot
, rebounding ability, and work ethic as a player and person. After his career ended, he went to work with the Converse shoe company, particularly with the Converse All-Star. He resides in Starkville, Mississippi
where he is very active in Mississippi State athletics fund-raising, specifically the Bulldog Club, an organized fund to pay for MSU athletic scholarships. He currently serves as an elder for the Starkville Church of Christ.
On February 7, 2009 Howell's jersey (#52) was retired at halftime of the Mississippi State versus University of Arkansas
game. Bailey is the first MSU basketball player to have his jersey retired. A banner displaying his number and years of play is now on permanent display in the Humphrey Coliseum
.
The Bailey Howell Award is given annually to best collegiate basketball player in the state of Mississippi. The bronze statue that is awarded each year was designed by J. Kim Sessums
.
The gymnasium at Middleton (TN) High School bears his name.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player now enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. A 6'7" forward from Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University
The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
, he played 12 seasons (1959–1971) in the NBA as a member of the Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
, Baltimore Bullets
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
, Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
, and Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
. A six-time All-Star with 17,770 career points, he was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997. He won two NBA championships with the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
. The best years of his career were during his time with the Bullets and the Celtics.
Despite playing at the college level for only three years, Howell set and still holds Mississippi State records for single-game points scored, career scoring average, single-season and career free throws made, single-season and career free throws attempted, single-game free throw percentage, single-game rebounds, single-season rebounds, career rebounds, and single-season and career rebounding average. His scoring records are particularly impressive, since there was no three point line or shot clock at the time that he played. He is considered a legend to the Bulldog basketball faithful, and one of best-known players to have played at MSU. He is probably most known for his hook shot
Hook shot
A hook shot, in basketball, is a play in which the offensive player, usually turned perpendicular to the basket, gently throws the ball with a sweeping motion of his arm in an upward arc with a follow-through which ends over his head. Unlike the jump shot, it is shot with only one hand; the other...
, rebounding ability, and work ethic as a player and person. After his career ended, he went to work with the Converse shoe company, particularly with the Converse All-Star. He resides in Starkville, Mississippi
Starkville, Mississippi
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 21,869 people, 9,462 households, and 4,721 families residing in the city. The population density was 851.4 people per square mile . There were 10,191 housing units at an average density of 396.7 per square mile...
where he is very active in Mississippi State athletics fund-raising, specifically the Bulldog Club, an organized fund to pay for MSU athletic scholarships. He currently serves as an elder for the Starkville Church of Christ.
On February 7, 2009 Howell's jersey (#52) was retired at halftime of the Mississippi State versus University of Arkansas
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas is a public, co-educational, land-grant, space-grant, research university. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with very high research activity. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and is located in...
game. Bailey is the first MSU basketball player to have his jersey retired. A banner displaying his number and years of play is now on permanent display in the Humphrey Coliseum
Humphrey Coliseum
Humphrey Coliseum is a 10,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Starkville, Mississippi, that opened for the 1975-76 basketball season. Nicknamed The Hump, it is home to the Mississippi State University Bulldogs men's and women's basketball teams. It is the largest on-campus basketball arena in the...
.
The Bailey Howell Award is given annually to best collegiate basketball player in the state of Mississippi. The bronze statue that is awarded each year was designed by J. Kim Sessums
J. Kim Sessums
Dr. J. Kim Sessums is an American artist and physician, best known for his sculptures. Sessums resides in Brookhaven, Mississippi.Sessums earned his medical degree at the University of Mississippi. The University later installed his six-foot statue of University of Mississippi football coach John...
.
The gymnasium at Middleton (TN) High School bears his name.
See also
- List of National Basketball Association career free throw scoring leaders
- List of National Basketball Association career rebounding leaders
- List of NCAA Division I men's basketball players with 30 or more rebounds in a game
- List of NCAA Division I men's basketball players with 2000 points and 1000 rebounds