Bailey Howell
Bailey Howell | |
|---|---|
| Born | Bailey E. Howell January 20, 1937 Middleton, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Other names | "Buckshot" |
| Occupation | Professional basketball player (retired) |
| Years active | 1959–1971 |
| Known for | Six-time NBA All-Star, two-time NBA champion, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee (1997) |
Bailey E. Howell (born January 20, 1937) is a retired American professional basketball athlete. Following an impressive collegiate tenure at Mississippi State, Howell enjoyed a 12-year career in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected as an NBA All-Star six times and earned two NBA champion titles. In recognition of his achievements, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997. Known by the nickname "Buckshot" for his effective scoring near the basket, Howell was particularly skilled at generating second-chance points.
Early life
Howell was born in Middleton, Tennessee to Walter, who worked as a mail carrier, and Martha, a teacher. He grew up with two siblings.
During his time at Middleton High School (1953–1955), Howell set a Tennessee state high school scoring record by accumulating 1,187 points throughout his career. He received all-conference recognition every year, was named All-State in both his junior and senior seasons, and achieved All-American status in 1955 after averaging 31.2 points per game as a senior.
Though heavily recruited by prominent programs such as Memphis State, Mississippi, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, and Kentucky, Howell ultimately committed to play for Coach Babe McCarthy at Mississippi State within the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
College career
Standing 6'7", Howell played forward for Mississippi State University from 1955 through 1959.
In his sophomore season (1956–1957), he averaged 25.9 points and 19.7 rebounds per game, contributing to Mississippi State's 17–8 overall record and third-place finish in the SEC.
The following year (1957–1958), the team improved to a 20–5 record with another third-place SEC finish and a national ranking of 15th. Howell elevated his performance to average 27.8 points and 16.2 rebounds per contest, earning his inaugural SEC Most Valuable Player award.
During his senior year (1958–1959), Mississippi State achieved a remarkable 24–1 record and secured the SEC Championship with a 13–1 conference mark. Howell maintained strong averages of 27.5 points and 15.2 rebounds, capturing his second consecutive SEC MVP honor.
In 1959, Howell was named to the AP First Team All-American roster alongside distinguished players like Oscar Robertson and Jerry West. He later received induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
Mississippi State forfeited participation in NCAA tournaments during Howell’s era due to state policies prohibiting competition against integrated teams. Howell regarded this as "the biggest disappointment" of his career, expressing regret over missing the chance to compete on the national stage.
Across three varsity seasons, Howell led the Bulldogs to an overall record of 64–14. He holds school records for career averages of 27.1 points and 17.0 rebounds per game, with total career tallies of 2,030 points and 1,277 rebounds. His single-game bests include scoring 47 points and grabbing 34 rebounds.
Despite only three years playing varsity basketball—and without the advantages of a three-point line or shot clock—Howell still holds numerous Mississippi State records in scoring and rebounding categories. Celebrated for his hook shot accuracy, rebounding skills, and relentless work ethic, he remains one of MSU’s most legendary players.
Detroit Pistons (1959–1964)
Selected as the second overall pick in the 1959 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons, Howell was chosen after territorial pick Wilt Chamberlain and Bob Boozer—both future Hall of Famers.
He made an immediate impression during his rookie season (1959–60), averaging 17.8 points along with 10.5 rebounds while Detroit finished with a 30–45 record. During this period, Howell developed an important mentorship relationship with teammate Earl Lloyd, recognized as the first African-American player in NBA history, who significantly influenced Howell’s growth as a professional.
In the subsequent season (1960–61), Howell improved his statistics to average 23.6 points and 14.4 rebounds per game, earning his first selection among four consecutive NBA All-Star appearances. That year included career-high performances of 43 points and 32 rebounds in a contest against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Pistons ended with a 34–45 record but were narrowly defeated by the Lakers in a five-game playoff series.
During the 1961–62 campaign, Howell led Detroit with averages of 19.9 points, 12.6 rebounds, and added 2.4 assists per game. The Pistons won their initial playoff series against the Cincinnati Royals but were eliminated by the Lakers again in the Western Conference Finals.
Howell maintained strong numbers in the 1962–63 season with averages of 22.7 points and 11.5 rebounds; however, Detroit concluded with a disappointing 34–46 record and lost in the playoffs to Bob Pettit's St. Louis Hawks.
In the final season under coach Charles Wolf (1963–64), Howell continued to earn All-Star honors while posting a double-double average of 21.6 points and 10.1 rebounds despite the team's decline to a franchise-low record of 23–57.
Baltimore Bullets (1964–1966)
On June 18, 1964, the Detroit Pistons traded Howell along with Bob Ferry, Les Hunter, Wali Jones, and Don Ohl to the Baltimore Bullets in exchange for Terry Dischinger, Don Kojis, and Rod Thorn.
During the 1964–65 season with Baltimore, Howell led the league in personal fouls with 345 while posting averages of 19.2 points and 10.5 rebounds alongside teammate Walt Bellamy. Under coach Buddy Jeannette, the Bullets finished with a 37–43 record and advanced past the St. Louis Hawks in the first playoff round with a 3–1 series win before being eliminated by the Los Angeles Lakers 4–2 in the Western Conference Finals. In that series, Howell averaged 21.8 points and 13.4 rebounds.
With Paul Seymour taking over as head coach in the following season, Baltimore improved slightly to a 38–42 record. Howell contributed averages of 17.5 points and 9.9 rebounds, but the team was swept by the St. Louis Hawks in the postseason.
Boston Celtics (1966–1970)
Howell’s career trajectory changed notably on September 1, 1966, when Red Auerbach arranged a trade sending him to the Boston Celtics in return for Mel Counts. Joining a lineup that included Hall of Famers Bill Russell (who also served as player-coach), John Havlicek, Don Nelson, K.C. Jones, Satch Sanders, Wayne Embry, and Sam Jones, Howell averaged 20.0 points and 8.4 rebounds during the Celtics’ strong 60–21 campaign in 1966–67. The team reached the Eastern Conference Finals but fell short against Wilt Chamberlain’s Philadelphia 76ers.
In the 1967–68 season, Howell secured his first NBA Championship as Boston defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in six games during the Finals. He maintained averages of 19.8 points and 9.8 rebounds throughout the regular season and played a key role in playoff victories over Detroit and Philadelphia.
The Celtics repeated their championship success in 1968–69 behind Howell’s contributions of 19.7 points and 8.8 rebounds on a squad that finished 48–34 with Havlicek and Russell leading the way. Boston overcame Philadelphia and New York in the playoffs before winning a seven-game Finals rematch against Los Angeles.
Following Bill Russell’s retirement, Tommy Heinsohn took over as head coach for the 1969–70 season. As an aging team struggled to a 34–48 record missing postseason play, Howell’s performance declined to averages of 12.6 points and 6.7 rebounds at age 33.
Philadelphia 76ers (1970–1971)
After concluding the 1970 season, Howell was selected by the Buffalo Braves in the NBA expansion draft but was immediately traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for Bob Kauffman and a future second-round pick in 1971 (which became Spencer Haywood). At age 34, Howell played his final NBA season with Philadelphia under coach Jack Ramsey, averaging 10.7 points and 5.4 rebounds for a team that finished with a solid 47–35 record. The Sixers were eliminated by Baltimore in the playoffs; Howell averaged 6.7 points and grabbed 4.4 rebounds during that series.
Career legacy
Over his twelve-season NBA tenure from 1959 to 1971, Howell played for the Detroit Pistons (1959–1964), Baltimore Bullets (1964–1966), Boston Celtics (1966–1970), and Philadelphia 76ers (1970–1971). A six-time NBA All-Star, he accumulated a total of 17,770 points (18.7 per game) along with 9,383 rebounds (9.9 per game). Howell earned two NBA titles with Boston and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997. His most outstanding years occurred during his time with both the Celtics and Pistons. Upon retirement, he ranked within the top ten across nine different NBA statistical categories. Renowned Hall of Fame commentator Dick Vitale recognized him as history’s premier offensive rebounder.
Personal life
In 1964, Howell wed Mary Lou Flowers, and the couple has made Starkville, Mississippi their longtime home. Following his retirement, he pursued a master’s degree in physical education at Mississippi State University while lending his expertise to the men's basketball program. Subsequently, Howell was involved with the Converse brand, playing a key role in enhancing the Converse All-Star. He continues to actively support Mississippi State athletics by participating in fundraising efforts through the Bulldog Club, helping to provide athletic scholarships.
For many years, Howell has also held the position of elder at the Starkville Church of Christ. He is the father of Beth Hansen, CEO of the Mississippi Board of Realtors, and father-in-law to University of Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin, who is an alumnus of Mississippi State and previously served as MSU’s athletic director. Stricklin is married to Anne Howell, Bailey’s youngest daughter and a distinguished former three-time All-Lone Star Conference tennis athlete at Abilene Christian University. Bailey and Mary Lou have three daughters in total; their eldest daughter, Amy Howell Allen, lives in Paducah, Kentucky.
Honors and awards
- The gymnasium at Middleton High School (TN) was dedicated in his name in 1970.
- Inducted into the Mississippi State University Sports Hall of Fame in 1971.
- Enshrined in the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in 1977.
- Honored by induction into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 1981.
- Entered into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997.
- The Howell Trophy, created in 2005 to recognize Mississippi’s top male collegiate basketball player annually, features a bronze statue sculpted by J. Kim Sessums.
- Inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.
- His #52 jersey became the first to be retired by Mississippi State University during a ceremony in 2009; the commemorative banner is displayed inside Humphrey Coliseum.
- In 2014, Mississippi State renamed Coliseum Drive on campus to "Bailey Howell Drive."
Regular season
| Year | Team | GP | MPG | FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | PPG | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1959–60 | Detroit | 75 | 31.3 | .456 | .739 | 10.5 | 0.8 | 17.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1960–61 | Detroit | 77 | 38.3 | .469 | .753 | 14.4 | 2.5 | 23.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1961–62 | Detroit | 79 | 36.2 | .464 | .768 | 12.6 | 2.4 | 19.9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1962–63 | Detroit | 79 | 37.6 | .516 | .798 | 11.5 | 2.9 | 22.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1963–64 | Detroit | 77 | 35.1 | .472 | .809 | 10.1 | 2.7 | 21.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1964–65 | Baltimore | 80 | 37.2 | .495 | .801 | 10.9 | 2.6 | 19.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1965–66 | Baltimore | 78 | 29.8 | .488 | .730 | 9.9 | 2.0 | 17.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1966–67 | Boston | 81 | 30.9 | .512 | .741 | 8.4 | 1.3 | 20.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Boston | '82' | '34.2' | ' .481' | ' .727' | ' 9.8' | ' 1.6' | - |- | style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;" |1968–69† | Boston | '78' | '32.4' | ' .487' | ' .735' | ' 8.8' | ' 1.8' | - |- | style="text-align:left;" |1969–70 | Boston | '82' | '25.3' | ' .429' | ' .763' | ' 6.7' | ' 1.5' | - |- | style="text-align:left;" |1970–71 | Philadelphia | '82' | '19.4' | ' .472' | ' .730' | ' 5.4' | ' 1.4' | - class="sortbottom" | Career | '950 | '32.2 | ' .480 | ' .762 | ' 9.9 | ' 2.0 | - class="sortbottom" | All-Star | '6 | '13.5 | ' .394 | ' .750 | ' 1.7 | ' 1.3 | }
Playoffs
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