gold star for USAHOF

120. Jack Coleman

Jack Coleman was a dual-sport athlete at Louisville, where he played football and basketball, but it was the latter where he became a nine-year professional.

Coleman might be best known for being on the wrong end of a Bill Russell block in 1957 when his Hawks lost to Russell’s Celtics, but Coleman was a two-time NBA Champion, having anchored the Rochester Royals to a title in 1951 and the Hawks to one in 1958.  An expert rebounder, Coleman averaged over ten boards a game in the first five seasons, which was tracked, and was also high on the Field Goal Percentage leaderboard regularly.  Coleman’s was also above-average defensively.

121. Darrell Griffith

The second best player ever to come from Louisville, Darrell Griffith led Coach Denny Crum’s Cardinals to their first National Title and was the National Player of the Year in 1980.  Griffith had incredible leaping ability and used this to finish plays with style.  He also was a potent jump shooter though he never became the superstar many thought he would be out of college.  Griffith still had a very solid NBA career but was overshadowed by his great career at Louisville.



Should Darrell Griffith be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 0%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 50%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 50%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 0%