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George Mikan

Chronology

1924	Born in Joliet, Illinois
1942-46	Four-year letter winner at DePaul University under Hall of Fame coach Ray Meyer
1946	Leads nation in scoring, averaging 23.1 points per game (ppg)
1946-47	Plays for the National Basketball League's (NBL) Chicago Gears
1947-54	Star player for the Minneapolis Lakers
1948	Wins NBL championship with the Lakers
1949	Wins BAA championship with the Lakers; passes the Bar to become a lawyer
1950	Wins National Basketball Association (NBA) championship with the Lakers
1952-54	Wins three consecutive NBA championships with the Lakers
1954	Retires at the end of the 1953-54 season as the league's all-time leading scorer, with 11,764 points (22.6 ppg)
1955	Returns to Lakers during 1955-56 season for 37 games
1956	Retires from playing for good; runs for a congressional seat but loses election
1957-58	Coaches the Lakers for 39 games before resigning, posting a record of only 9 wins and 30 losses
1967	Becomes first Commissioner of the new American Basketball Association (ABA) league and is credited with introducing the league's trademark red, white, and blue ball.
1969	Resigns as ABA commissioner to resume law practice in Minneapolis
2000	Right leg is amputated below the knee due to complications from diabetes