Elvin Hayes

Elvin Ernest Hayes, born November 17, 1945 and nicknamed "the Big E," is an American former professional basketball player and radio analyst for his alma mater, the Houston Cougars. A high school basketball champion, he was recruited to play for Houston, where he and Don Chaney became the first African American basketball players in the program's history. Hayes reached the Final Four twice during his college career while averaging over thirty points a game, and his 222 rebounds in the NCAA tournament remain the most by any player in history.

Drafted by both the NBA and the ABA, Hayes chose the San Diego Rockets in 1968 and averaged over 28 points per game as a rookie, the last time a rookie has led the NBA in scoring average. He averaged 25 points per game in each of his first four seasons, but conflicts with coaching led to his trade to the Baltimore Bullets in 1972. He spent nine seasons with the franchise in Baltimore and Washington.

Known for both his offensive and defensive ability, Hayes is often regarded as one of the best power forwards in NBA history. He is a member of the NBA's 50th and 75th anniversary teams and an inductee in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.