Bailey Howell
Bailey E. Howell (born January 20, 1937) is an American former professional basketball player who played as a power forward and small forward in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for twelve seasons from 1959 to 1971.[1] After a stellar college career at Mississippi State University, where he was named a unanimous First Team All-American and averaged 27.1 points per game, Howell was drafted second overall by the Detroit Pistons in 1959.[2][3] During his NBA tenure with the Pistons, Baltimore Bullets, Boston Celtics, and Philadelphia 76ers, he averaged 18.2 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, earned six All-Star selections, and won two NBA championships with the Celtics in 1968 and 1969.[1][2] Howell was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997 for his versatile scoring and rebounding prowess.[2]
Early Years
Birth and Upbringing
Bailey E. Howell was born on January 20, 1937, in Middleton, Tennessee.[1][2] His parents were Walter Howell and Martha Howell.[4] Howell was raised by his Christian parents in the rural community of Middleton, a small town in Hardeman County with a population of approximately 300 during his early years.[5][6] The family lived near the cotton fields that characterized the area's agrarian landscape, reflecting the modest, farm-oriented upbringing common in mid-20th-century rural Tennessee.[7]High School Career
Bailey Howell attended Middleton High School in Middleton, Tennessee, where he excelled in basketball.[1] He earned All-State honors in both 1954 and 1955.[6] As a senior during the 1954–55 season, Howell averaged 32.1 points per game and set a Tennessee high school record by scoring 1,187 points, which drew national attention to his scoring prowess.[6][7] He also received All-America recognition for his performance that year.[6]Collegiate Achievements
Mississippi State Tenure
Bailey Howell joined the Mississippi State Bulldogs men's basketball team as a sophomore in the 1956–57 season, playing as a 6-foot-7-inch forward under coach Babe McCarthy.[8] Over three varsity seasons from 1956–57 to 1958–59, he transformed the program, leading the team to a 61–14 overall record.[2] His scoring prowess and rebounding dominance established him as a cornerstone player, earning three All-Southeastern Conference selections.[2] Howell's statistical output was exceptional, averaging 27.1 points and 17.0 rebounds per game across 75 games, amassing 2,030 career points and 1,277 rebounds—records that stood as Mississippi State all-time marks for decades.[8] [9] In his freshman-eligible sophomore year of 1956–57, he shot a program-best 56.8% from the field while scoring the most points in a single game (42 against Vanderbilt on February 16, 1957).[9] As a two-time All-American, his efficiency and versatility as a power forward with guard-like agility drew national attention.[10][3] In his senior season of 1958–59, Howell captained the Bulldogs to a 24–1 record, securing the Southeastern Conference regular-season championship and a third-place finish in the United Press International national poll.[10] The team's lone loss came in the season finale, but Howell's leadership propelled Mississippi State to its highest national ranking during his tenure.[8] His performance that year solidified his status as the program's scoring leader and paved the way for his selection as the second overall pick in the 1959 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons.[11]College Statistics and Records
Howell competed for the Mississippi State Bulldogs from the 1956–57 through 1958–59 seasons, playing in 75 games and accumulating career totals of 2,030 points and 1,277 rebounds, which established him as the program's all-time leader in both categories at the conclusion of his collegiate career.[11][8] His per-game averages stood at 27.1 points and 17.0 rebounds, with a field goal percentage of 52.5% and free throw percentage of 76.5%, contributing to a 61–14 team record over his three varsity seasons.[11][8] The following table summarizes his per-season statistics:| Season | Games | Points (Total/Avg) | Rebounds (Total/Avg) | FG% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1956–57 | 25 | 647 / 25.9 | 492 / 19.7 | .568 | .747 |
| 1957–58 | 25 | 695 / 27.8 | 406 / 16.2 | .515 | .771 |
| 1958–59 | 25 | 688 / 27.5 | 379 / 15.2 | .498 | .774 |
| Career | 75 | 2,030 / 27.1 | 1,277 / 17.0 | .525 | .765 |
Professional NBA Trajectory
Entry and Detroit Pistons (1959–1964)
Bailey Howell was selected by the Detroit Pistons with the second overall pick in the first round of the 1959 NBA Draft, following territorial picks of Wilt Chamberlain and Bob Ferry.[1] He signed a multi-year contract with the team on September 1, 1959, and made his professional debut on October 18, 1959.[13][14] As a 6-foot-7 forward from Mississippi State University, Howell quickly adapted to the professional level, providing scoring and rebounding for a Pistons squad that finished with a 30–45 record in his rookie campaign.[1] In the 1959–60 season, Howell appeared in 75 games, averaging 17.8 points and 10.5 rebounds per game while shooting 45.6% from the field.[15] His performance earned him second place in voting for NBA Rookie of the Year, trailing only Chamberlain.[9] Despite the team's lack of playoff success, Howell's contributions marked him as a foundational piece for Detroit's frontcourt. Howell's production rose in subsequent seasons, culminating in averages of 21.1 points and 11.8 rebounds across 387 regular-season games with the Pistons from 1959 to 1964.[16] He earned All-Star selections in 1961 and 1962, showcasing his versatility as a mid-range scorer and defensive rebounder amid the Pistons' mediocre results, including no playoff appearances deeper than the division finals.[6] By 1964, Howell had solidified his reputation as one of the league's top forwards, leading to his trade to the Baltimore Bullets prior to the 1964–65 season.[17]Baltimore Bullets Engagement (1964–1966)
On June 9, 1964, the Baltimore Bullets acquired Bailey Howell from the Detroit Pistons in a multi-player trade, receiving Howell along with Bob Ferry, Les Hunter, Wali Jones, and Don Ohl in exchange for Terry Dischinger, Don Kojis, and Rod Thorn.[18][19] This deal preceded the 1964–65 season, during which Howell emerged as a key forward for the Bullets, who finished with a 37–43 record and third place in the NBA's Western Division.[20] In his debut season with Baltimore, Howell played all 80 games, averaging 37.2 minutes, 19.2 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 49.5% from the field and 80.1% from the free-throw line; he also led the league in total personal fouls with 345.[1][21] The Bullets advanced to the playoffs, defeating the St. Louis Hawks in the division semifinals before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the division finals, with Howell contributing 20.8 points and 11.7 rebounds across 9 postseason games.[1]| Season | GP | MPG | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | FT% | PF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1964–65 | 80 | 37.2 | 19.2 | 10.9 | 2.6 | .495 | .801 | 4.3 |
| 1965–66 | 78 | 29.8 | 17.5 | 9.9 | 2.0 | .488 | .730 | 3.9 |
Boston Celtics Dominance (1966–1970)
Howell joined the Boston Celtics on September 1, 1966, via a trade from the Baltimore Bullets in exchange for center Mel Counts, bolstering the team's forward depth amid the transition following the retirement of key veterans like Tommy Heinsohn.[24] In his debut 1966–67 season, Howell started 81 games, averaging 20.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game while earning All-Star selection, contributing to a 60–21 regular-season record but an Eastern Division Finals loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.[1] The following 1967–68 campaign saw Howell maintain elite production at 19.8 points and 9.8 rebounds across 82 games, serving as a reliable scorer and rebounder in Bill Russell's player-coach system during the Celtics' 55–27 season that culminated in an NBA championship victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.[1] His playoff averages of 18.1 points and 7.7 rebounds underscored his versatility as a power forward, providing consistent output alongside stars like John Havlicek and Russell en route to the title.[1] Howell's rugged style and durability helped sustain Boston's defensive intensity and transition scoring, key elements of their dominance.[2] Howell repeated near-double-double averages in 1968–69 (19.7 points, 8.8 rebounds in 78 games), aiding a 48–34 regular season and another championship, this time a seven-game finals triumph over the Lakers despite injuries and roster age.[1] In the postseason, he posted 15.0 points and 6.6 rebounds over 18 games, proving instrumental in clutch moments as Boston extended its dynastic run.[1] These back-to-back titles marked Howell's primary legacy with the Celtics, where his scoring efficiency (around 50% field goal shooting) complemented Russell's rebounding and the team's defensive schemes.[2][9] By 1969–70, Howell's role adjusted amid team fatigue, yielding 12.6 points and 6.7 rebounds in 82 games during a 34–48 season that ended in an Eastern Conference Semifinals exit to the New York Knicks.[1] Over four seasons in Boston, he aggregated strong per-game contributions, appearing in 323 regular-season games and two championships, embodying the gritty forward play that prolonged the Celtics' era of supremacy before the franchise's transitional decline.[1]| Season | Games | PPG | RPG | APG | Team Record | Playoff Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966–67 | 81 | 20.0 | 8.4 | 1.3 | 60–21 | Lost Eastern Finals (3–4 vs. 76ers) |
| 1967–68 | 82 | 19.8 | 9.8 | 1.6 | 55–27 | NBA Champions (4–2 vs. Lakers) |
| 1968–69 | 78 | 19.7 | 8.8 | 1.8 | 48–34 | NBA Champions (4–3 vs. Lakers) |
| 1969–70 | 82 | 12.6 | 6.7 | 1.5 | 34–48 | Lost Eastern Semifinals (1–4 vs. Knicks) |
Philadelphia 76ers Conclusion (1970–1971)
Following his tenure with the Boston Celtics, Howell was selected by the Buffalo Braves in the 1970 NBA expansion draft from Boston but was acquired by the Philadelphia 76ers via trade on May 12, 1970.[13] At age 34, he concluded his NBA career with the 76ers during the 1970–71 season, appearing in all 82 regular-season games while starting only 6, reflecting a diminished starting role amid a roster featuring younger talents like Billy Cunningham and Archie Clark.[1] Howell averaged 10.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game, shooting 47.2% from the field and 73.0% from the free-throw line, contributing steady veteran scoring and rebounding off the bench.[1] The 76ers compiled a 47–35 regular-season record, securing second place in the Atlantic Division and qualifying for the playoffs.[25] In the Eastern Division semifinals against the Baltimore Bullets, Howell played in all 7 games, averaging 6.7 points per game as Philadelphia was eliminated in the series.[1] On January 17, 1971, he scored 28 points in a road victory over the San Diego Rockets, matching a personal benchmark in his final campaign.[26] Howell's performance in Philadelphia marked the end of a 12-year NBA career, after which he retired in 1971, having accumulated 17,770 career points and ranking among the league's top 10 all-time leaders in multiple statistical categories including total points and field goals made.[2][9]Career Metrics and Milestones
Regular Season and Playoff Statistics
Bailey Howell compiled his NBA regular season statistics over 12 seasons (1959–1960 to 1970–1971), appearing in 950 games for a total of 17,770 points, 9,383 rebounds, and 1,853 assists.[1] His per-game averages stood at 18.7 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists, with a field goal percentage of .487 and free throw percentage of .761.[1] These figures reflect his role as a consistent scoring forward, peaking at 23.6 points and 14.4 rebounds per game during the 1960–1961 season with the Detroit Pistons.[17] In the playoffs, Howell participated in 86 games across multiple postseason runs, accumulating 1,401 points and 697 rebounds.[1] His playoff per-game averages were 16.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, with shooting efficiencies of .465 from the field and .732 from the free-throw line.[1] Notable playoff performances included 20.0 points and 9.6 rebounds per game in 10 contests during the 1962 playoffs with Detroit.[17]| Statistic | Regular Season Per Game | Regular Season Totals | Playoff Per Game | Playoff Totals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games Played (G) | 950 | 950 | 86 | 86 |
| Points (PTS) | 18.7 | 17,770 | 16.3 | 1,401 |
| Rebounds (TRB) | 9.9 | 9,383 | 8.1 | 697 |
| Assists (AST) | 2.0 | 1,853 | 1.5 | 130 |
| Field Goal % (FG%) | .487 | - | .465 | - |
| Free Throw % (FT%) | .761 | - | .732 | - |