George Lawrence Mikan, Jr. (June 18, 1924 – June 1, 2005),
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 245 lb.
Mikan is seen as one of the pioneers of professional
basketball, redefining it as a game of so-called big men
with his prolific rebounding, shot blocking and his talent
to shoot over smaller defenders with his ambidextrous hook
shot, result of his own Mikan Drill.