Neil Johnston

NBA All-Star basketball player

What is Neil Johnston known for?

Neil Johnston, born February 4, 1929, in Chillicothe, Ohio, was a remarkable athlete who made significant contributions to American basketball. He was known for his remarkable hook shot, and his basketball prowess started shining right from his high school days at Chillicothe High School.

After high school, he continued his education at Ohio State University from 1946 to 1948, where he played both baseball and basketball. But, his professional journey truly kicked off when he signed a contract with the Philadelphia Warriors in 1951.

His career spanned from 1951 to 1959, during which he diligently served the Philadelphia Warriors as a center. He was a six-time NBA All-Star, scoring leader for three seasons and the NBA rebounding leader for the 1955 season. In 1956, Neil and his team became NBA champions, further highlighting his talent.

His career stats are also noteworthy. Over his career, he scored 10,023 points at an average of 19.4 points per game. He made 5,856 rebounds averaging 11.3 rebounds per game and provided 1,269 assists, averaging 2.5 assists per game. You can visualize his career stats over at NBA's official website or at Basketball-Reference.com.

After retiring as a player due to a knee injury, Neil turned to coaching. His coaching career spanned from 1959 to 1963, during which he coached the Philadelphia Warriors and the Pittsburgh Rens. His coaching record was equally impressive, with a .617 win percentage.

Neil’s contribution to basketball has not gone unnoticed. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 1990 and then into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.

Neil Johnston passed away on September 28, 1978, in Irving, Texas, but his legacy in the world of basketball lives on.