Bailey Howell
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born |
January 20, 1937 Middleton, Tennessee |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Listed weight | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Middleton (Middleton, Tennessee) |
| College | Mississippi State (1956–1959) |
| NBA draft | 1959 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2nd overall |
| Selected by the Detroit Pistons | |
| Playing career | 1959–1971 |
| Position | Small forward |
| Number | 52, 18, 15, 16 |
| Career history | |
| 1959–1964 | Detroit Pistons |
| 1964–1966 | Baltimore Bullets |
| 1966–1970 | Boston Celtics |
| 1970–1971 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Career statistics | |
| Points | 17,770 (18.7 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 9,383 (9.9 rpg) |
| Assists | 1,853 (1.9 apg) |
| Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
| Basketball Hall of Fame as player | |
|
College Basketball Hall of Fame Inducted in 2006 | |
Bailey E. Howell (born January 20, 1937) is an American former professional basketball player now enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Howell was a 6'7" forward at Mississippi State University. Despite playing at the college level for only three years, he 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 the 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.
Howell 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 Celtics and the Pistons.
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.
He is the father-in-law of current Mississippi State Athletic Director, Scott Stricklin.
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