The Los Angeles Lakers of the 1960s were known for their star power. Between Jerry West, Elgin Baylor and later Wilt Chamberlain, they put pro basketball on the map in the Southland while being a force in the NBA’s Western Division (now Western Conference).
But while West, Baylor and Chamberlain got the lion’s share of attention during that era, the Lakers also had some capable role players. One of them was guard Frank Selvy, a 6-foot-3 guard who spent four years with the Purple and Gold starting with the 1960-61 season, the team’s first in L.A.
On Tuesday, it was announced that Selvy had passed away at the age of 91.
The basketball community has lost a Legend. Our hearts are with the family, friends and fans of Frank Selvy.#LegendsForever pic.twitter.com/s0TGrV0J1s
— NBA Alumni 🏀 (@NBAalumni) August 13, 2024
Selvy made the All-Star team twice, including in the 1961-62 season with the Lakers. That year, he averaged 14.7 points and 4.8 assists a game.
Trivia buffs may know that he missed what would’ve been the winning shot with the score tied at the end of regulation in Game 7 of the 1962 NBA Finals versus the Boston Celtics.
FUN FACT:
Elgin Baylor averaged 41 PPG & 18 RPG in the 1962 NBA Finals but didn't win a ring because teammate Frank Selvy missed a wide open 12 foot shot at the buzzer in Game 7. LA would then lose in OT, and go on to lose 4 MORE Finals to Boston that decade. https://t.co/eQ6AMzE4y7 pic.twitter.com/dQO4EWyG9b
— Barry (@BarryOnHere) June 2, 2023
In 1954, while at Furman University, Selvy set the record for the highest-scoring Division I basketball game ever with 100 points.
A Corbin legend has passed at the age of 91. #RIP Frank Selvy-still holds the record for most pts scored in a D-1 game. He’s been mentioned many times on #KSR. #BBN has heard his name as the #1 overall pick in the 1954 draft. @KySportsRadio @coreyp08 @ryanlemond pic.twitter.com/udp77lWG06
— Drew Mahan (@drewmahan) August 13, 2024
Months later, he was the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft by the then-Baltimore Bullets.
