CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The NJCAA announced its fourth annual NJCAA Foundation Hall of Fame class on Thursday, June 6. Among the list of notable athletes and influencers was Artis Gilmore.
Known as the "gentle giant," Gilmore, who stood at seven feet two inches, was celebrated for his remarkable physical presence throughout his basketball career. Gilmore began to gain recognition during his college years by leading the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs men's basketball team to the NJCAA tournament in 1968 and 1969. Over his two seasons at Gardner-Webb, he averaged 22.5 points and 16 rebounds per game, accumulating 1,530 points and 1,150 rebounds.
After Gardner-Webb, Gilmore transferred to Jacksonville University, where under Coach Joe Williams' guidance, he further honed his skills and gained national attention. One of the defining moments of Gilmore's collegiate career came when he led the Dolphins to the 1970 National Championship game against the powerhouse UCLA Bruins. During that 1970 NCAA Tournament run, Gilmore averaged an impressive 26.4 points and 18.6 rebounds per game. His total combined average of 45 points-rebounds is the third-most in history over a minimum of five games, trailing only West Virginia's Jerry West (46.6 in 1959) and Houston's Elvin Hayes (52.8 in 1968). Although the Dolphins' captivating run came up short in the national championship, Gilmore's leadership and talents helped put the University, and the city of Jacksonville, on the map.
In addition to guiding JU to national acclaim, Gilmore's individual achievements are historic. The commanding center nicknamed 'A-Train,' finished his collegiate career with 1,312 points and 1,224 rebounds, averaging an incredible 24.3 points and 22.7 rebounds per game. This feat has been achieved by only eight players in the history of the sport at the collegiate level, and his career average of 22.7 rebounds per game still stands as the all-time high in NCAA history. As a two-time All-American, Gilmore led the nation in rebounding in both the 1969-70 and 1970-71 seasons.
To this day, Gilmore's 307 field goals made during the 1969-70 season are the most in JU program history. Additionally, Gilmore scored 30 points twice in the 1970 men's basketball tournament, another program record, en route to being named to the NCAA All-Tournament team. Gilmore also claims the top 11 spots in JU history for rebounds in a single game, with his highest tally reaching 34. His 621 rebounds in 1969-70 and his 603 in 1970-71 rank seventh and 14th, respectively, all-time for rebounds in a single season in NCAA history. They're also the two-highest rebounding seasons of any player in JU program history. Named the 1971 Consensus Player of the Year, as the top collegiate basketball player in the nation, Gilmore's exceptional talent, contributions, and impact extended beyond the basketball court, as he demonstrated the values of sportsmanship, integrity, and commitment.
In 1971, after his remarkable college career, Gilmore was drafted by the Kentucky Colonels in the American Basketball Association (ABA) Draft. His tenure in the ABA was illustrious, marked by a 1975 championship, being named the 1972 ABA Most Valuable Player, and earning the 1975 ABA Playoffs MVP title. Gilmore was a five-time All-ABA First-Team selection, a four-time ABA All-Defensive First-Team member, and a four-time ABA rebounding champion. Additionally, he was honored as the 1972 ABA Rookie of the Year, made the ABA All-Rookie First-Team, and was included in the ABA All-Time Team.
Transitioning to the NBA in 1976 after the ABA-NBA merger, Gilmore was the first pick by the Chicago Bulls in the dispersal draft. In his debut NBA season, he led the team in scoring, rebounds, and blocks. In 1977, he set a personal NBA record with 42 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists in a game against the Kansas City Kings. Gilmore continued his career with the San Antonio Spurs, Boston Celtics, and Italy's Arimo Bologna, retiring in 1988 after a 19-year professional career.
Gilmore's accolades include six NBA All-Star selections, a spot on the NBA All-Defensive Second-Team, and induction into the 2024 Chicago Bulls Ring of Honor. His legacy is cemented with inductions into the Gardner-Webb Athletics Hall of Fame, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. His combined ABA/NBA career total of 24,941 points ranks him as the 20th leading scorer in professional basketball history.
