Wes Unseld - A bruising six-foot-seven, 245-pound center with an awesome outlet pass and a nose for the ball on offense and defense, Wes Unseld played in a glorious era of NBA centers, and was considered an equal with his counterparts. Despite being troubled by chronic knee problems his entire career, Wes Unseld always played a physical brand of basketball. A two-time All-America at the University of Louisville, Unseld averaged 20.6 points and 18.9 rebounds in 82 collegiate games. His early career plans included becoming a teacher, but that thought was put on hold when he became the second overall pick in the 1968 draft by the NBA's Baltimore Bullets.
In 1969, Unseld's debut was memorable. He became only the second NBA player besides Wilt Chamberlain to be named Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season. During a solid 13-year NBA career spent entirely with the Bullets organization, Unseld became a superb position rebounder and retired as the NBA's seventh all-time leading rebounder with 13,769 boards, a 14.0 per game average. Unseld, who played in five NBA All-Star Games, ranks as the Bullets' all-time leader in minutes played (35,832) and rebounds. He is only one of 20 players in NBA history to score more than 10,000 points (10,624) and grab more than 10,000 rebounds. The pinnacle of Unseld's career came in 1978, when he and fellow Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes led Washington past Seattle for the NBA championship. For his efforts, Unseld was named MVP of the championship series. In 1975, Unseld received the NBA's J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for his community contributions.
