SPRINGFIELD, MASS. – Harold E. “Hal” Greer, enshrined as a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982, has passed away at the age of 81.
“The Basketball Hall of Fame family mourns the loss and celebrates the life of Mr. Hal Greer,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “Hal took great pride in the game and was a steadfast force for his team, while establishing personal records with a remarkable jumper. He will be remembered by many as an NBA Champion, the 76ers leading scorer and someone you would always want on your team.”
A 6-foot-2 fantastically athletic guard, Hal Greer had a sweet-shooting touch and was phenomenal on the fast break. His career stats and legacy are cemented in the NBA record books. At the time of his enshrinement, he ranked among the top ten all-time in points scored (21,586), field goal attempts (18,811), field goals made (8,504), and minutes played (39,788). In a 15-year career, Greer averaged 19.2 points per game - with eight seasons of 20 points or more - and recorded 4,540 career assists. At Marshall University, Greer became the first African-American to play for a major college team in West Virginia. He developed an accurate one-hand jump shot and set Marshall's career record for field goal percentage at .545. Greer was named All-Conference in 1957 and 1958. The only player to jump shoot his free throws, the productive Greer had logged 1,122 games when he retired from the NBA in 1973, setting another league record. Greer was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA history.
About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was invented, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame promotes and preserves the game of basketball at every level – professional, collegiate and high school, for both men and women on the global stage.
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