The first overall selection in the 1958 NBA Draft and 14-year Minneapolis/Los Angeles Laker legend Elgin Baylor has passed away. The exact cause of death, aside from the causes being natural, has not yet been released, but Baylor was 86.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported the news via Twitter on Monday afternoon.
NBA and Lakers legend Elgin Baylor has passed away from natural causes at age of 86, team says.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 22, 2021
In his 14-year NBA career, Baylor made the NBA All-Star Game 11 times. He also made the NBA First Team 10 different times, was the Most Outstanding Player in 1958’s Final Four, one year before being awarded the NBA’s Rookie of the Year.
The small forward was one of the most recognizable players of his era, but never won an NBA title. Although he was selected to the NBA’s 35th and 50th All-Time teams. Baylor also coached the (then) New Orleans Jazz from 1976-1979.
His points per game average through his 14 years sits at an incredible 27.4, while also somehow averaging 13.5 rebounds per game over his career. A Laker and NBA legend was paid tribute to briefly via the Lakers’ Twitter account. Expect the Lakers to perform a bigger tribute as the 2021 season presses on.
Featured Image courtesy of Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images
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