Paul Arizin facts for kids
Arizin with the Philadelphia Warriors
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 9, 1928 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | December 12, 2006 (aged 78) Springfield Township, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| High school | La Salle (Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Listed weight | 190 lb (86 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Villanova (1947–1950) |
| NBA Draft | 1950 / Pick: territorial pick |
| Selected by the Philadelphia Warriors | |
| Pro career | 1950–1965 |
| Career history | |
| 1950–1952, 1954–1962 |
Philadelphia Warriors |
| 1962–1965 | Camden Bullets |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career statistics | |
| Points | 16,266 (22.8 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 6,129 (8.6 rpg) |
| Assists | 1,665 (2.3 apg) |
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Paul Joseph Arizin (born April 9, 1928 – died December 12, 2006) was a famous American basketball player. People called him "Pitchin' Paul" because of his unique jump shot. He played his whole career in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Philadelphia Warriors. Paul played from 1950 to 1962. He was one of the best players of his time. He scored many points and was honored on the NBA's 25th, 50th, and 75th Anniversary Teams.
Contents
Early Life & Basketball Beginnings
Paul Joseph Arizin was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on April 9, 1928. His parents were immigrants from France. Interestingly, Paul did not play basketball at La Salle College High School. He tried out for the team in his senior year but didn't make it.
A year after Paul graduated, another famous basketball player, Tom Gola, started at La Salle College High School.
College Basketball Career
During his first year at Villanova University, Paul Arizin played basketball for the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) in Philadelphia. Near the end of that season, the Villanova varsity basketball coach, Al Severance, watched one of Paul's CYO games. After seeing him play, Coach Severance asked Paul if he wanted to go to Villanova. Paul replied, "I already go to Villanova!"
Paul joined the Villanova team in 1947, during his second year of college. He played for three years. In 1950, he was named the best college basketball player in the country. He led all college players by scoring 25.3 points per game that year. On February 12, 1949, Paul scored an amazing 85 points in one game! He even scored over 100 points in another game for Villanova, but that game isn't officially recognized by the NCAA.
Professional Basketball Journey
Playing for the Philadelphia Warriors (1950–1962)
The Philadelphia Warriors picked Paul Arizin first in the 1950 NBA draft. In his first year, he scored 17.2 points per game. He was unofficially named the NBA Rookie of the Year for the 1950–51 season. Paul became one of the greatest NBA players of the 1950s. He led the league in scoring during the 1951–52 and 1956–57 seasons. He also led the league in field goal percentage in 1951–52.
Paul took a break from the NBA for two seasons (1952–53 and 1953–54). He served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War.
Paul became famous for his unique "line-drive" jump shot. He and center Neil Johnston were a powerful scoring duo. They led the Warriors to win the 1956 NBA championship. Paul also played with other legends like Joe Fulks, Tom Gola, and Wilt Chamberlain. Paul decided to retire from the NBA when the Warriors team moved to San Francisco. When he retired, no other player had left the game with a higher scoring average in their final season.
Paul played in 10 NBA All-Star Games. He was even named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 1952 NBA All-Star Game. He was also chosen for the All-NBA First-Team in 1952, 1956, and 1957.
Time with the Camden Bullets (1962–1965)
After leaving the NBA, Paul Arizin played for three seasons with the Camden Bullets. This team was part of the Eastern Professional Basketball League. The Bullets won the league championship in 1964. Paul scored over 20 points per game in each of these seasons. He was named the EBL MVP in 1963. He also made the EBL All-Star First Team in 1963 and 1964.
Paul Arizin's Legacy
Paul Arizin is remembered as one of basketball's all-time greats. In 1971, he was named to the NBA 25th Anniversary Team. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1978. In 1996, he was chosen as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. In October 2021, Paul was again honored by being named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. He was also part of the first group of people inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame in 2004. Paul Arizin passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 12, 2006, at the age of 78, in Springfield, Pennsylvania.
Images for kids
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Paul J. Arizin in his Quantico Marine basketball uniform
See also
- List of individual National Basketball Association scoring leaders by season
- List of National Basketball Association career free throw scoring leaders
- List of basketball players who have scored 100 points in a single game
- List of NCAA Division I men's basketball players with 60 or more points in a game
- List of NCAA Division I men's basketball season scoring leaders
- List of National Basketball Association annual minutes leaders
- Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
- List of NBA players who have spent their entire career with one franchise
