Slater N. Martin

While the 5-foot-10-inch Slater "Dugie" Martin was diminutive in stature, his presence on the court was as big as his native Texas. A colorful, scrappy guard at the University of Texas, Martin was named to the 1949 Helms Athletic Foundation All-America team as a senior. He averaged 16 points per game that year. His 49 points against Texas Christian was a Southwestern Conference record. Considered one of the smallest super players in NBA history, Martin was a forerunner of the modern point guard with the Minneapolis Lakers and St. Louis Hawks and was an excellent playmaker and a tenacious defender. He was a steadying influence on five NBA championship teams, melding the NBA's first great frontcourt of Hall of Famers Jim Pollard, George Mikan, and Vern Mikkelsen into a cohesive unit. His value was clear as Martin won five NBA championships during his career.