Regular visitors of Notinhalloffame.com know that we are slowly working on the top 50 of every major team in the NHL, NBA, NFL, and MLB. Once that is done, we will examine how each team honors its past players, coaches, and executives. As such, it is important to us that UCLA has announced the nine-person Class of 2025.

The incoming members are:

Tracey Milburn Bailey, Women’s Soccer, 1998-2000.  A three-time All-Pac-10 selection, Milburn Bailey had a phenomenal 2000 Season, where she scored 13 Goals, was named the Pac-10 Player of the Year, led her school to the first-ever College Cup, and the first National Championship Game.  She later played professionally for the Washington Freedom of the Women’s United Soccer Association.

Mike Franks, Men’s Tennis, 1956-58.  Franks was a two-time All-American who led UCLA to a team championship in 1956.  In all three of his seasons with the Bruins, UCLA won at least a share of the conference championship.  He later competed at Wimbledon three times.

Cyndi Gallagher, Women’s Swimming and Diving Coach, 1988-2019.  A student-athlete herself at UCLA, Gallagher had a stellar career with a 202-107-2 record in dual meets.  She led the Bruins to two Pac-10 Titles (2001 & 2003), was a two-time Pac-10 Coach of the Year, and 11 of her athletes competed in the Olympics. 

Jason Kapono, Men’s Basketball, 2000-03.  Kapono scored 2,095 Points at UCLA (third all-time) and was an All-Pac-10 Selection in all four of his years with the Bruins.  He later played over 500 Games in the NBA, and won a Championship with the Miami Heat in 2006.

Brittani McCullogh, Women’s Gymnastics, 2008-11.  McCullough earned four All-America honors (one in vault and three on the floor) and in 2010, she won the Pac-10, Regionals, and National Titles on the floor exercise.

Kimberly Po, Women’s Tennis, 1990-91.  Po won the 1991 Pac-10 Doubles Title with Stella Sampras, and the pair were the runner-up for the National Championships.  Professionally, she won Mixed Doubles at the 1999 U.S. Open with Donald Johnson.

Sheena Johnson Tosta, Women’s Track and Field, 2001-04.  A ten-time All-American, Johnson Tosta won six Pac-10 Titles and was a two-time NCAA 400m Hurdle Champion.  She later competed in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, winning a Silver Medal in the latter.

Lisa Willis, Women’s Basketball, 2003-06.  Willis compiled 1,677 Points and 368 Steals for the Bruins and was also a two-time All-Pac-10 Selection and the MVP of the 2006 Pac-10 Tournament.  She later played four seasons in the WNBA.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the incoming members of the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first incarnation of the Charlotte Hornets had some good moments and memorable players, but they had an athletic Point Guard named Baron Davis, whose career and contributions to the sport are yet to receive their proper due.

A Pac-10 Freshman of the Year at UCLA, Davis was the third overall pick in199y by the Charlotte Hornets, and he was their starting Point Guard as an NBA sophomore.  Davis blossomed over the next five years, where his athletic leap and strong defense consistently put him in the top ten in Assists and Steals while still scoring in bunches when needed.

Twice an All-Star with the Hornets, Davis was a Third-Team All-NBA Selection in 2003-04, and while that was his peak, it can easily be imagined that if Davis was with a better team, his trophy case would be fuller. His Assists and steals numbers speak for themselves. 

Today, the basketball community mourns the loss of a true legend, Bill Walton. 

Bill Walton passed away at the age of 71 after a bout with cancer.

Walton was one of the greatest players in UCLA history, winning three consecutive National College Player of the Year Awards.  He also led the Bruins to two National Championships, where he was the Final Four Most Outstanding Player in both.  Naturally, the Center was drafted first overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1974, but his pro career was beset by constant injuries, though the runs of greatness were certainly there.

Overcoming ankle and foot issues in his first two seasons, Walton's leadership shone through.  He was an All-Star in both years, but his contributions extended far beyond individual accolades.  Walton won the Rebounds (14.4) and Blocks Title (3.2) and was a Second Team All-NBA and First Team All-Defensive Selection. Most notably, he transformed the Trail Blazers into contenders, leading them to their first and only NBA Championship. 

Walton propelled Portland to 50 of 60 wins to start the 1977-78 but suffered a broken foot late in the year, ending the regular season, but he was rewarded with the MVP when he had a career-high 18.9 Points per Game, with an impressive 13.2 Rebounds and 2.5 Blocks per Game. Walton’s 24.8 PER was also a personal best.  He returned for the playoffs but would return on painkillers for the playoffs, but did so on a broken ankle, which he was unaware of.  The highly-principled Walton refused to play for the Trail Blazers again, and he sat out (though was also injured) the following year while demanding a trade.  He never got that deal but was a free agent in 1979 and signed with the San Diego Clippers.

San Diego showed that he was no longer an elite player but an injury-prone star who could provide when healthy. This was not often for the Clippers, as he only played 14 Games in 1979-80.  With a refractured foot and other related ailments, he missed 1980-81 and 1981-82 entirely. He returned in 1982, playing three seasons, albeit infrequently, and was part of the team’s relocation to Los Angeles, which hurt Walton deeply, as he was a San Diego native.

Walton signed with the powerful Boston Celtics in 1985, accepting a reserve role.  For the first time in his career, Walton played 80 Games and would win the Sixth Man of the Year, aiding Boston in winning the 1986 NBA Championship.  He only played ten more games afterward, again dealing with issues with his feet and would retire officially in 1988.

Walton would later have a successful career as a color commentator and was known for his love of the Grateful Dead. 

We here at Notinhalloffame offer our condolences to the fans, friends and family of Bill Walton.

Debuting for the San Francisco 49ers as a Second Round Pick from UCLA in 1976, Randy Cross played his entire 13-year career with the Niners, where he would help them win three Super Bowls.

A member of the All-Time Pittsburgh Steelers team, Carnell Lake, would be named to four of his five Pro Bowls there, those four being consecutive (1994 to 1997).  Used predominantly at Strong Safety, Lake would be A First Team All-Pro in 1997 and is one of the few Defensive Backs how had at least 15 Sacks and 15 Interceptions.  Lake would finish his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Baltimore Ravens, and while his overall INT numbers (16), his versatility and ability to rush the QB, made him one of the most dangerous players in Steelers history.

Willie Naulls had decent career numbers, finishing a very respectable 15.8 Point and 9.1 Rebound per Game Average.  He was a four-time All-Star and three-time NBA champion and he was one of the best ever to come from college basketball giant powerhouse that was UCLA.

Professionally, Naulls went to his four All-Stars with the New York Knicks, and in 1959-60 and 1960-61 he received MVP votes.  Traded to the San Francisco Warriors in 1962, his contract was sold to the juggernaut that was the Boston Celtics where he provided depth, and won three consecutive NBA Championships to close his career.

Sidney Wicks was the UCLA big man who led the Bruins to numerous NCAA titles and was selected College Player of the Year.  He would be drafted by the Blazers and would become the centerpiece of the franchise.  Later went to Boston where he was a solid contributor.  No it’s not Bill Walton; it’s the forgotten star of the UCLA dynasty, Sidney Wicks.  Wicks is one of those great 70s players that time has seemingly forgot.  A four time All-Star and consistent 20/10 guy for the Blazers, Wicks was a dominant big man.  A three time champion at UCLA who was the star of the teams in between Alcindor and Walton, Wicks never got their publicity.  The obstacles holding him back from the Hall is a shortened career and playing for bad teams that happened to get a lot better right after he left.

Marques Johnson played college basketball at UCLA and was a member of the last championship team of the great Bruin dynasty under legendary coach John Wooden in 1975.  Johnson was a great college player winning the first ever John Wooden college basketball player of the year award in 1977 and gained consensus first team All-American honors.  Selected 3rd overall by the Milwaukee Bucks, Johnson quickly became a star under Coach Don Nelson.  In his second season he averaged 25.6 points a game which was good for third in the league and earned first team All NBA honors.  Johnson helped the Bucks win 5 straight division titles in the early 80's but they never could get over the hump of beating the dominant Philadelphia 76ers or Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference to make the Finals.