George Mikan

George Lawrence Mikan Jr., nicknamed "Mr. Basketball", was an American professional basketball player for the Chicago American Gears of the National Basketball League (NBL) and the Minneapolis Lakers of the NBL, the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA). Invariably playing with thick, round spectacles, the 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m), 245 lb (111 kg) Mikan was one of the pioneers of professional basketball. Through his size and play, he redefined basketball as a game dominated in his day by "big men". His prolific rebounding, shot blocking, and ability to shoot over smaller defenders with his ambidextrous hook shot all helped to change the game. He also utilized the underhanded free-throw shooting technique long before Rick Barry made it his signature shot.

18 June 1924

Born on the same birth day (18 June): Andrew Forsyth • Carolyn Wells • Chris Harris Jr. • Dizzy Reed • Françoise Loranger • George Mallory • Hector Rason • Ian Carmichael • Jackie Leven • John Scott (organist) • Josh Dun • Lou Brock • Niki Wories • Paul McCartney • Richard Powers • Russell Ash • William H. Seward Jr.

Born in the same month (June 1924): Bob Appleyard • Dennis Weaver • Ezra Laderman • Grete Dollitz • June Callwood • M. Karunanidhi • Philip H. Hoff • Sidney Lumet • Torsten Wiesel • William J. Castagna