Rudy LaRusso came from Dartmouth and would become a standout in the NBA averaging nearly a double-double over his ten NBA seasons. (15.6 Points & 9.4 Rebounds)

Beginning his career with the Minneapolis Lakers in 1959, LaRusso was part of the move westward to Los Angeles, where “Roughhouse” Rudy elevated his game.  LaRusso averaged over 10 Rebounds per Game from 1961-62 to 1963-64, where he was an All-Star in the first two.  An All-Star again in 1966, the defensive specialist was traded to the Detroit Pistons in January of 1967, but LaRusso refused to report and sat out the rest of the season.  His rights were traded to the San Francisco Warriors in the off-season, where he closed his career with back-to-back All-Stars while posting his best scoring numbers with 21.8 and 20.7 Points per Game. respectively.

Johnny Green was an undersized power forward (even for the 50’s and 60’s) who was a hard worker under the boards and earned four All-Star game appearances in a long career.  His career stats are what keep him in the discussion; but it won’t get him discussed much.

Bob Boozer was an unsung and almost forgotten forward who was a two time All-American at Kansas State and a key member of the Milwaukee Bucks championship team run in 1971. Fifteen points a game with eight boards are not incredible but they are solid numbers and his long career should help.  He also sat out the 1959 season playing AAU basketball over the NBA so he could still be eligible for the 60 Olympic Games.  Boozer of course was MVP of the National tournament and led the Peoria Caterpillars to a national championship; that is Hall of Fame worthy isn’t it?

Charles Oakley was a key member of both the Bulls and Knicks in the 80’s and 90’s and built a solid reputation as a bruiser underneath.  He seemingly played forever and is high on some career accumulative stats such as games played and total rebounds but did not average double digits in either points or rebounds.  Sadly his legacy will be that of the guy who was traded right before the Bulls made their run and that fact alone should keep him out of the Hall.