The Basketball Hall of Fame lost Vern Mikkelsen this week at the age of 85. Mikkelsen was one of the NBA greatest defenders during his career, who used his tenacity and athleticism to dominate opposing offensive players.
He was an All-American at Hamline University where he won the 1949 NAIA Men's Dvision I tournament. As a professional, Mikkelsen joined George Mikan in the front court for the Minneapolis Lakers. He played 10 seasons in the NBA and only missed five games during his career. He became only the sixth player in NBA history to score more than 10,000 points. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995.
"Vern was one of his era's top forwards and an important part of the Basketball Hall of Fame - he will truly be missed in the basketball community," said John Doleva, President & CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Mikkelsen was a six-time NBA All-Star and won championships with the Minneapolis Lakers from 1951-53 and 1955.