Hall of Fame Professional Basketball Player. In 1996, he was named to the NBA’s All-Time 50 Greatest Players List. For ten seasons (1950 to 1952, 1954 to 1962), he played at the forward and center positions in the National Basketball Association with the Philadelphia Warriors. Born Paul Joseph Arizin, he attended LaSalle High School, at where he was discouraged by his coach to participate in basketball. Determined to prove him wrong, he played in independent leagues throughout Philadelphia where he developed his skills. After enrolling at Villanova University in 1946, he was preparing for a career in Chemistry when he was offered a scholarship to play for the Wildcats. He gradually built his legendary status, as he scored 85 points in one game, while helping lead the Wildcats to a berth in the NCAA Tournament in 1949. His senior year (1949-1950), he achieved All-American honors and was named Collegiate player of the Year by the Sporting News. Selected by Philadelphia as a territorial pick during the 1950 NBA Draft, his impact was immediate as he scored 1,121 points in 65 games, earning All-Star status. The following season (1951-1952), he led the league in scoring with 1,674 points. Arizin would miss two of his prime years (1953 to 1954), while he served with the US Marine Corps during the Korean War and upon returning home, he continued his dominance. He experienced a world championship as a key member of the 1955-1956 NBA Champion Warriors squad and the following year, he topped the league for a second-time in scoring with 1,817 points. He decided to leave the NBA following the Warriors relocation to San Francisco in 1962. In 713 regular season games, he amassed 16,266 points, achieving All-Star status each of his years in the league. He continued to play basketball an additional three years (1962-1965) in the Eastern Basketball League. After basketball, he worked as a sales representative with I.B.M. He was enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1978. Along with George Mikan, Dolph Schayes, among others Arizin was a pioneer of the game and an innovative force in the usage of the jump-shot which he perfected throughout his career. He died at his home in his sleep at the age of 78. (bio by: C.S.)  Family links:  Spouse:  Maureen McAdams Arizin (1930 – 2007)* *Calculated relationship