John Wooden

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In the year1932 John Wooden was the College Player of the Year. Wooden studied the game under Hall of Fame coach Ward Lambert. John Wooden was always learning and looking for ways to become the best and most intelligent player on the court. After graduation, Wooden pursued a career in coaching basketball. He spent two years at Dayton High School in Kentucky and nine years at South Bend Central High School in Indiana, collecting a 218-42 record. Wooden then coached at Indiana State University, where he recorded a two-year 44-15 mark.

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Wooden's big break came in 1948, when he accepted the head coaching position at UCLA. Although he would not win his first national title until 15 years later, Wooden began setting up the program for what would become the dynasty of all dynasties. Under the masterful coaching of Wooden, the Bruins set all-time records with four perfect 30-0 seasons, 88 consecutive victories, 38 straight NCAA tournament victories, 20 PAC 10 championships, and 10 national championships. He believed in long hard practices for conditioning and endless drills to perfect fundamental skills.

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Wooden acknowledges Ward Lambert, his Purdue coach, as being his greatest coaching influence. He became considered one of the finest teachers the game has ever seen. He invented “The Pyramid” offense; a well-known by-product of the Wooden coaching era. His ability to implant his major principles into his players made Wooden the master of developing talent. John Wooden ended his career as a six-time Coach of the Year who dedicated his life to basketball. His consistency and patience were rewarded, as he is one of only two people to be elected into the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach.