Vern Mikkelsen

Arild Verner Agerskov " Vern " Mikkelsen ( born October 21, 1928 in Fresno, California, † November 21, 2013 in Wayzata, Minnesota ) was an American professional basketball player who over the whole period of his ten year professional career for the Minneapolis Lakers in the NBA played. Mikkelsen is considered the first player who embodied the modern position of power forwards in the NBA of the 50s. In this role, he was known for excellent defense work and especially his skills as a rebounder. 1995 Mikkelsen was recorded for his career performance in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Career

At the age of 16 years, Vern Mikkelsen received a scholarship that enabled him to play at Hamline University in Minnesota college basketball. After his last year of college Mikkelsen was drafted in the NBA Draft in 1949 by the Minneapolis Lakers in eleventh place of the first round. Mikkelsen was there immediately part of the front Courts with the star center George Mikan and Jim Pollard. All three were taken after their careers in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. With this team Mikkelsen already won the championship in his first season in the NBA. Overall, the Lakers won five titles with Vern Mikkelsen.

After ten years of career Mikkelsen joined in 1959 as an active player back. During this period he scored a total 10,063 points and 5,940 rebounds, which corresponds to a career average of 14.4 points and 8.5 rebounds. At the time, Mikkelsen was only the sixth player in the NBA history, who had reached the mark of 10,000 career points. In addition, he missed only five games of 704 league games. End of the 60s Mikkelsen acted briefly as General Manager of the ABA Clubs Minnesota Pipers, and as caretaker coach of the team.

Play

Mikkelsen earned a reputation as a tough defender. Three times in a row, he led the NBA in the number of fouls committed per season. To date, Mikkelsen holds the record of a total of 127 disqualifications over the entire period of his career.

Death

Vern Mikkelsen died at the age of 85 years surrounded by his family members in Wayzata, Minnesota.

Awards

  • Six-time NBA All-Star (1951-1953, 1955-1957)
  • Elected four times to the All- NBA Second Team (1951, 1952, 1953, 1955)
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