Elgin Baylor Deserves More Recognition
An Overlooked NBA Legend?
Elgin Baylor is a National Basketball Association (NBA) legend thanks to a stellar career with one of the league’s marquee franchises. Sadly, many fail to recognize his greatness.
Do sports analysts forget Elgin because he played with and against athletes who were better than him? Are generational age gaps preventing current fans from giving him more praise?
In honor of Black History Month and this weekend’s NBA All-Star game, I’ll give Elgin Baylor the flowers he deserves.
I’ll do so by examining his background, the effects of growing up during segregation, and his career statistics. Then I’ll reveal the impact of prayer in his life.
Elgin Baylor Blooms from Segregation’s Concrete
Cultivation Through Adversity
Born on September 16, 1934, in Washington, DC, Elgin Gay Baylor is the son of John and Uzziel Baylor. The name Elgin means noble, high-minded in English.
But for John, the inspiration for his son’s name comes from the brand of his favorite watch. John hoped his son would embody the strength and dependability the watch brand represents.
What his parents may not have realized at the time is that cultivating his strength and dependability would come through two forms of adversity.
The first form of adversity results from his parents’ decision-making. His parents were about to abort him because they couldn’t handle raising another child. They had three children already (John, Kermit, Gladys, and Columbia, including one with severe asthma.
Thankfully, encouraging words from a church member, saying God will provide, compel them to change their hearts.
Elgin and Columbia Experience Racism
Jehovah Jireh (God who provides) proves himself faithful to Elgin at an early age, while cultivating him through a second form of adversity, racism.
Elgin’s first experiences with racism as an eight-year-old while at the Carnival with his sister, Coloumbia. While there, the siblings get separated, and Elgin begins calling out to Columbia.
A Caucasian patron, seemingly concerned, offers Elgin a ride to help him find his sister. Elgin soon realizes the gesture was a trap as Columbia frantically runs beside the car.
Wisely, Elgin opens the door, jumps out of the vehicle, and runs for his life. While running, the “kind” patron and his friends spew racial slurs and threats at Elgin.
Jehovah Jireh proves a way of escape, allowing Elgin and Columbia to return home safely. Interestingly, the incident earned him the nickname “rabbit” because he was too fast for the perpetrators to catch.
Unfortunately, Elgin and Columbia would endure racism again as Columbia slaps a Caucasian woman for spitting in her face. The incident also causes friction between Elgin and his father as John disciplines Columbia in front of Caucasian police officers.
Too young to understand the repercussions of defying the authorities, Elgin believes his father was not protecting the family. Conversely, John’s humiliating decision saves their lives.
Elgin Baylor Becomes A Star
Elgin Baylor’s High School & Collegiate Accolades
Though John saved his family during that incident, he couldn’t shield them from the ever-present realities of racism. Elgin would realize this when he began playing basketball. He and all Blacks in the DC area during segregation were barred from using nice courts meant for Whites only.
Consequently, they played on rundown courts in low-income neighborhoods. Despite not playing on maintained courts, Elgin would use this disadvantage as a springboard to stardom.
DC-area residents began to notice his stardom during his junior year at Phelps Vocational School, averaging 18.5 points per game. Afterward, he dropped out of school, working odd jobs while staying in shape by occasionally playing pick-up games.
He returned to school a few years later, attending Spingarn and graduating in 1954, at the age of twenty. He also earned the SSA Livingstone Trophy as the best high school player in DC. Additionally, he became the first African-American named to the First Team Washington All-Metropolitan.
After high school, Elgin attended the College of Idaho on a football scholarship despite never playing the sport. His reputation as a good athlete allows him to join the school’s basketball team without a try-out.
Elgin took advantage of this privilege by averaging 31 points and 20 rebounds per game that season. The next year, Elgin transferred to Seattle University, averaging 32.5 points per game.
His efforts helped lead the Chieftans to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship, which they lost to the University of Kentucky.
The Turning Point for Elgin Baylor
After his sophomore season, Elgin entered the 1958 NBA draft, where he was selected first overall by the Minnesota Lakers. The first-round pick would sign a $20,000 contract (equivalent to $224,305.88 in 2026).
1958 is also significant as Elgin married Ruby Sanders, and the couple would later have a daughter, Allison, and a son, Alan. (The couple divorced in the mid 1970’s, allowing Elgin to marry Elaine and have a daughter named Krystal).
Along with becoming a professional NBA star and husband, the late 1950s were also a key point in Elgin’s career for two reasons. First, his arrival is said to have saved the Minnesota Lakers from being sold due to several losing seasons and poor ticket sales.
Additionally, was the first African-American NBA player to protest social injustices by refusing to play in a game. Elgin’s protest stems from the racism he experienced from hotels in Charleston, West Virginia.
Several hotels refused to host the entire Lakers team because three players were Black. As a result, Elgin sat out, believing that a town that refuses to respect his humanity didn’t deserve to enjoy his athletic ability. Elgin’s stance created change as the Lakers would only stay in hotels that accepted the entire team going forward.
#22, Elgin Baylor’s Legendary Career
Elgin didn’t let the racism he experienced in Charleston prevent him from giving his all on the court. During the course of his fourteen-year career, Elgin acquired the following career regular-season totals through 846 games
- 11,463 assists.
- 23,149 points.
- 3,650 total rebounds
- 26 triple-doubles.
- 8,693/20,171 field goals (43.1%).
- 5,763/7,391 free throws (78%).
Elgin continued his elite performance during the playoffs with career totals such as
- 541 assists.
- 3,623points.
- 1724 total rebounds
- 4 triple-doubles.
- 1388/3161 field goals (43.9%).
- 559/716 freethrows (76.9%).
Despite strong play, including a 76.9 free-throw percentage, Elgin has a 0-8 record in the NBA Finals. Nevertheless, Elgin earned some impressive accolades with the Lakers, including being
- A Basketball Hall-of-Fame Inductee (Class of 1977).
- A member of the NBA 75th Anniversary team.
- A11x NBA-All-star.
- A 10x All-NBA First Team Selection.
- An NBA Finals record holder (61 points in a single game).
- The first NBA player to score 70 points in a game
- The 1959 NBA Rookie of the Year.
From NBA Rookie of the Year until early retirement due to injury in 1972, Elgin always had a passion for basketball. In 1976, he became the head coach of the New Orleans Jazz and compiled a record of 86-135 during his tenure.
Additionally, from 1986 to 2008, Elgin was the Los Angeles Clippers’ V.P. of Basketball Operations, losing the job due to a 34.9% winning percentage. Though he won Executive of the Year in 2006.
Ironically, Elgin, who endured racism throughout his life, begins his retirement unsuccessfully suing former Clippers owner Donald Sterling for racial discrimination and ageism.
Along with these hassles, Elgin had to deal with being underappreciated because basketball wasn’t the global phenomenon it is today. Likewise, Elgin’s inability to win a championship has led to his being overlooked by modern fans.
A Persevering Prayer Warrior
The Secret to Success
So, how did Elgin deal with the challenges of racism, being overlooked, and remaining humble while experiencing success? The answer is prayer.
Elgin testified about how he always loved to pray and would pray anywhere. He also tells the story of how intercession helped him depend on God while on a flight during a crash-landing in Iowa.
While other passengers were panicking, Elgin believed God would keep everyone safe. Elgin’s confidence reveals what it means to model Proverbs 3:5-6 and experience God’s peace through prayer.
I can’t help but wonder if he pleads for boldness like believers in Acts 4:23-31 before boycotting the game against the Royals, his rookie season. Did he exercise sincere faith by letting the Lord take vengeance in his court case against Donald Sterling? Donald was found guilty of being a racist and received a lifetime ban from the NBA in 2014.
His wife, Elaine, says Elgin’s faith comes from his mother, Uzziel, who continually prayed for and uplifted him. Elaine also prayed for Elgin, drawing on Philippians 4:13 and trusting that God would supply their needs.
Their prayer life helped the Baylor family find contentment amid suffering, even when others tried to steal their joy. We know their attempts failed, as Elaine proudly proclaims that hardships give us the chance to draw closer to God.
Therefore, I’m certain Elgin experienced God’s rewards and gave him thanks every time he bowed his head. Elgin transitioned from earthly labor to heavenly reward on March 22, 2021, at the age of 86.
Thank you for taking the time to read stories of faith through the Electi A Deo Experience. Feel free to leave a comment below and share this content with everyone you know. Have a blessed Black History Month!
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