SPENCERHAYWOOD
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDERSpencer Haywood — NBA champion, 4× All-Star, the player whose lawsuit opened the NBA to underclassmen. Career stats, bio and legacy of a pioneering scorer and rebounder.
1×NBA CHAMPION
5×ALL-STAR
Spencer Haywood biography — NBA career story, legacy, championships, awards and personal background.
Career timeline, milestones, and place among all-time greats.
A landmark antitrust lawsuit bearing his name forced the NBA to abandon its rule requiring players to be four years removed from high school — opening the league to underclassmen and reshaping the sport's talent pipeline for good. Born April 22, 1949, in Silver City, Mississippi. Height 6 ft 8 in (203 cm).
After starring at Trinidad State Junior College, he led the U.S. to Olympic gold in 1968 before turning pro with the ABA's Denver Rockets in 1969, winning Rookie of the Year and MVP after leading the league in both scoring and rebounding. He moved to the NBA's Seattle SuperSonics in 1970 following his court battle, and later played for the New York Knicks, New Orleans Jazz, and Los Angeles Lakers, winning an NBA championship with the Lakers in 1980.
A four-time NBA All-Star, Haywood twice made the All-NBA First Team, averaging a career-high 29.2 points in the 1972–73 season.
Combined ABA and NBA career totals: 17,111 points (20.3 ppg), 8,675 rebounds (10.3 rpg), 1,541 assists (1.8 apg).
His No. 24 was retired by the Seattle SuperSonics. Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.
Spencer Haywood quick facts — Height 6'8. 20.3 PPG career average. Championship years: 1980.
Height, weight, draft year, and years in the league.
Spencer Haywood awards and honors — Championship years: 1980.
Major individual and team accolades with seasons won.
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Spencer Haywood career statistics summary — 20.3 PPG career average.
Regular-season averages and totals across the full NBA career.
Spencer Haywood career highs — best single-game performances in points, rebounds, assists and more.
Personal records with dates and opponents.
vs DNR
vs KEN
vs DNR
vs NYK
vs SEA
vs CHI
Spencer Haywood advanced stats — PER, win shares, BPM and overall impact metrics.
Impact measured beyond traditional box score statistics.
Spencer Haywood playoff stats — postseason points, rebounds, assists and games played.
Postseason production across every playoff run.
Spencer Haywood All-Star Game stats — appearances, minutes and showcase performance.
Mid-season exhibition stats across every All-Star selection.
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Spencer Haywood NBA transactions — trades, signings and team changes by date.
Team moves and dates across every NBA stop.
FAQ about Spencer Haywood — rings, MVP awards, career stats, height.
Answers to the most searched questions about championships and career honors.
Spencer Haywood averaged 20.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists per game in the regular season.
Spencer Haywood filmography — movies, documentaries and on-screen basketball roles.
Theatrical releases and documentary appearances.
Players similar to Spencer Haywood — statistical peers by position, peak seasons and career arc.
All-time comparisons with the closest playing profile.
NoteThe club shown in the profile isn't necessarily the player's last team, but the one he's most associated with and that defined his career. See the full team history in the Transactions section.