Pollard, "Jim" (James C.)
Basketball
b. July 9, 1922, Oakland, CA
d. Jan. 22, 1993
His great leaping ability, which earned him the nickname "Kangaroo Kid," combined with intelligence and finesse, made Pollard a great basketball player. In fact, in a 1952 poll of professional players, Pollard was chosen the greatest of the period, ahead of his long-time teammate George Mikan.
The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Pollard was an All-American forward in 1942, when he starred for the Stanford team that won the NCAA championship. Pollard was the high scorer in the NCAA tournament even though he missed the final game with influenza. After serving in the Coast Guard during World War II, Pollard was an AAU All-American twice with the San Diego Dons and the Oakland Bittners.
He joined the Minneapolis Lakers of the National Basketball League in 1947. Pollard spent eight seasons with the Lakers, who moved into the NBA in 1948. They won six championships during his tenure. Although he wasn't a big scorer, his accurate corner jump shot helped take defensive pressure off Mikan, and he was also a fine rebounder and passer.
One opponent said of him, "Pollard can do more things than anyone. He is better than most big men and decidedly better than the little men. . . . He is a basketball player's player all the way."
In 497 professional games, Pollard scored 6,522 points, an average of 13.1. He also had 2,487 rebounds and 1,417 assists.
He retired in 1955 and coached LaSalle College for three years, winning 48 games while losing 28. Pollard also coached the Lakers for part of the 1959-60 season, winning only 14 of 39 games.