We here at Notinhalloffame.com thought it would be fun to take a look at the major awards in North American team sports and see how it translates into Hall of Fame potential.

Needless to say, different awards in different sports yield hall of fame potential.  In basketball, the team sport with the least number of players on a roster, the dividend for greatness much higher.  In baseball, it is not as much as a great individual season does not have the same impact.

Last time, we looked at the ABA Rookie of the Year.  This time, we look at the ABA All-Star Game MVP.

The trophy was awarded every year of the league’s existence, beginning in 1968 and concluding in 1976.

How many ABA All-Star Game MVPs made the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame?

Let’s find out!

The following are the past players who have won the ABA All-Star Game MVP who are eligible for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and have been enshrined.

1970: Spencer Haywood, Denver Nuggets, 39 MIN, 23 PTS, 19 RB, 2 AST, N/A STL, N/A BLK

Opting to turn pro after his sophomore year in college, Spencer Haywood’s only option was the ABA, as the NBA then had a rule that a player could not turn professional until his class graduated.  Haywood then played one year with Denver of the ABA, winning both the MVP and Rookie of the Year, becoming the only player to do so.  He also led the league in Minutes and Rebounds and Points per Game.  Following this season, Haywood joined the NBA with Seattle, and successfully challenged to join the league in a case that went to the Supreme Court.  Haywood later would be a four-time NBA All-Star, and won an NBA Title with the Lakers.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.

1971: Mel Daniels, Indiana Pacers, 30 MIN, 29 PTS, 13 RB, 3 AST, N/A STL, N/A BLK

Daniels was one of the top players in ABA history, winning two ABA MVPs, with this year being his second win.  An All-Time ABA Selection, Daniels led Indiana to three ABA Titles.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.

1972: Dan Issel, Kentucky Colonels, 23 MIN, 21 PTS, 9 RB, 5 AST, N/A STL, N/A BLK

Issel went to the All-Star Game in his first seven years; six in the ABA with the first five as a Colonel.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.

1974: Artis Gilmore, Kentucky Colonels, 27 MIN, 18 PTS, 13 RB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 4 BLK

Gilmore was an 11-time All-Star, five of which in the ABA, which coincided with the amount of years he played there.  Gilmore was also an ABA MVP (1972), and ABA Champion with the Colonels the following year.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.

1976: David Thompson, Denver Nuggets, 34 MP, 29 PTS, 8 RB, 2 AST, 0 S, 1.2 BPG, 12.4 WS. 

Taken number one by the Atlanta Hawks, David Thompson instead opted to play for Denver of the ABA, in what would be the last year of the ABA.  An All-Star this year, Thompson remained with the Nuggets when the leagues merged.  He would later go to four more All-Star Games in the NBA, three with Denver and one with Seattle.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996.

The following are the players who have won the ABA All-Star Game MVP who are eligible for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and have not been selected:

1968: Larry Brown, New Orleans Buccaneers, 22 MIN, 17 PTS, 3 RB, 5 AST, N/A STL, N/A BLK

Larry Brown entered the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a Coach in 2002, but in Springfield, you can enter multiple times in varying capacities.  Brown was one of the many players who benefited from the ABA to be a pro, and he made the most of it as a three-time ABA All-Star., and ABA Champion with Oakland in 1969.

Eligible Since 1978.

1969: John Beasley, Dallas Chapparals, 29 MIN, 19 PTS, 14 RB, 2 AST, N/A STL, N/A BLK

Beasley was a three-time ABA All-Star in his first three seasons in the league.  He never played in the ABA, also playing for Utah.

Eligible Since 1980.

1973: Warren Jabali, Denver Nuggets, 31 MIN, 16 PTS, 4 RB, 7 AST, 3 STL, 0 BLK

Jabali won the Rookie of the Year and ABA Championship for Oakland in 1969, and this season was his third of four ABA All-Star Games.  Jabali never played in the NBA, and also competed for Washington, Indiana, Florida and San Diego.

Eligible Since 1981.

1975: Freddie Lewis, Spirits of St. Louis, 33 MIN, 26 PTS, 5 RB, 10 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK

Lewis was traded from Memphis after six Games this year, and was an overall three-time ABA All-Star, with this season being his last.  He previously won three ABA Titles with Indiana.

Eligible Since 1983.

Let’s update our tally, shall we?       

So, who is up next?

The following are the players who have won the ABA Rookie of the Year who have retired but have not met the mandatory years out of the game to qualify for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame: 

None.

The following are the past players who have won the ABA Rookie of the Year are eligible for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and are still active.

None.

Nothing will change in this going forward as none of the ABA All-Star Game MVP who have not been inducted feel like they have Hall of Fame potential.  As this is now a defunct category, this feels like more than a footnote going forward.

So, what is up next?

We return to Baseball with the Major League Player of the Year from The Sporting News.

As always, we thank you for your support, and look for that soon.