NAISMITH MEMORIAL BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME MEMBER

#41 Wes Unseld - C

Wes Unseld Career NBA Stats 1968-81
G
FGA
FGM
FG%
PTS
PPG
3PTA
3PTM
3PT%
FTA
FTM
FT% AST
APG
REB
RPG
BLK
STL
984
8,586*
4,369
50.9
10,624
10.8
6
3
50.0
2,976
1,883
63.3
3,822
3.9
13,769
14.0
367
=628
 

 

Westley Sissel Unseld was born on March 14, 1946 in Louisville, KY. He was the son of Cornelia and Charles Unseld. Wes learned the game of basketball through his father who was a former basketball player. Sports wasn’t the only thing Wes took seriously in his life as his parents instilled in him that education was as much or more important than playing basketball.  

 

 

Unseld attended Seneca High School. He dominated Kentucky high school basketball, leading his team to back to back state titles in 1963 and 1964. During his senior year he was named Kentucky’s ‘Mr. Basketball’ and was an All-American selection. Instead of choosing to play college basketball for powerhouse Kentucky, Unseld opted for the University of Louisville.

 

Wes Unseld College Career Stats and Notes

Unseld played for Louisville from 1965-68. He averaged 20.6 points and 18.9 rebounds per game during his college career. He led the Cardinals to the NCAA tournament in 1967 and 1968, both times to the Sweet Sixteen. Unseld was a two-time consensus All-American.

 

Awards and Achievements
MVP
All-NBA

1st Team: 1969

All-Star Selections
1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975
Scoring Titles
NBA Finals MVP
1978
Achievements

NBA Champion

1977-78

NBA Rookie of the Year

1968-69

Member of 1968-69 NBA All Rookie First Team

Member of NBA 50th Anniversary All Time Team

Member of NBA 75th Anniversary All Time Team

 

 

Wes Unseld NBA Career Stats and Notes

Unseld was selected 2nd overall in the 1968 NBA Draft by the Baltimore Bullets. He played his entire 13-year NBA career with the Bullets franchise. He led the Bullets to four NBA Finals appearances, including winning a NBA title in 1978. Unseld retired after the 1980-81 season. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1988.

 

Wes Unseld 1968-69 Rookie Season

The impact of Wes Unseld's arrival to the Baltimore Bullets was immediate. During the 1968-69 season, Unseld played like a seasoned vet, averaging 13.2 points and 18.6 rebounds per game.  He led the Bullets to the best record in the league at 57-25, a year after finishing in last place in the division. Not only was he awarded Rookie of the Year honors, but also league MVP. The only other player to accomplish this rare feat was Wilt Chamberlain.

 

 

List of Basketball Hall of Fame Members