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Ray Felix
Ray Felix
from Wikipedia

Raymond Darlington Felix Sr. (December 10, 1930 – July 28, 1991) was an American professional basketball player. He was born in New York City. He played high school basketball at Metropolitan High School in New York and college basketball at Long Island University. Felix was drafted No. 1 overall pick in the 1953 NBA draft, the first African American first selection in NBA history.

Key Information

Basketball career

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A 6' 11" center from Metropolitan High School and Long Island University, Felix was selected by the Baltimore Bullets with the first pick in the 1953 NBA draft.

Felix won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in 1954 after averaging 17.6 points and 13.3 rebounds. Felix was also the second African-American, following Don Barksdale, to be named an All-Star. His 13.3 rebounds is on the List of National Basketball Association rookie single-season rebounding leaders.

After his rookie season, Felix was traded on September 17, 1954. The soon to be folded Baltimore Bullets traded Felix and Chuck Grigsby to the New York Knicks for Alfred McGuire and Connie Simmons.[1]

In six seasons with the Knicks, Felix averaged 12.0 points and 9.1 rebounds.[1]

On January 24, 1960, Felix was traded by the Knicks, with a 1960 4th round draft pick (Ben Warley was later selected), to the Minneapolis Lakers for Dick Garmaker and a 1960 2nd round draft pick (Dave Budd was later selected).[1]

In his Lakers tenure, the team moved from Minneapolis to Los Angeles and his role turned to a reserve one. He averaged 6.4 points and 6.7 rebounds in three seasons.[1]

The Lakers lost to the Celtics in the 1962 NBA Finals, in seven games. Felix averaged 4.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in the series, which marked the end of his NBA career.[2]

Overall, Felix spent nine seasons in the league, and played for the Bullets, New York Knicks and the Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers. Felix averaged 10.9 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, with career totals of 6,974 points and 5,652 rebounds. He retired in 1962.[1]

Russell rivalry

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Felix had an incident with future Hall of Famer Bill Russell in Russell's rookie season, when, after Russell felt that Felix had been trying to intimidate him, he knocked Felix unconscious with a punch to the head.[3]

Toward the end of his career, after having several of his shots blocked by Russell, Felix took the ball and flung it off the side of the backboard, saying to Russell, smiling, "You didn't get that one!"[4]

Felix and the Lakers lost to Russell and the Celtics in the 1962 NBA Finals, in seven games.[2]

After basketball

[edit]

Following his retirement, Felix worked for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation[5] where he sponsored a basketball tournament in Elmhurst, Queens[6] and later worked as a supervisor at Harlem men's shelter.[7]

Felix died of a heart attack on July 28, 1991.

Personal life

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Felix had a son, Ray Jr., with his wife Gloria.[8]

NBA career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

Regular season

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Year Team GP MPG FG% FT% RPG APG PPG
1953–54 Baltimore 72 37.1 .417 .638 13.3 1.1 17.6
1954–55 New York 72 28.1 .438 .622 11.4 0.9 14.4
1955–56 New York 72 23.6 .415 .706 8.7 0.7 12.3
1956–57 New York 72 22.5 .416 .747 8.2 0.5 12.0
1957–58 New York 72 23.7 .442 .697 10.4 0.7 12.2
1958–59 New York 72 22.1 .371 .713 7.9 0.7 10.4
1959–60 New York 16 11.6 .330 .576 5.1 0.1 5.1
1959–60 Minneapolis 31 22.5 .402 .646 8.3 0.9 8.4
1960–61 L.A. Lakers 78 19.4 .372 .699 6.9 0.5 6.6
1961–62 L.A. Lakers 80 18.5 .430 .692 5.9 0.7 5.4
Career 637 23.8 .412 .678 8.9 0.7 10.9
All-Star 1 32.0 .500 1.000 11.0 1.0 13.0

Playoffs

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Year Team GP MPG FG% FT% RPG APG PPG
1955 New York 3 21.0 .125 .619 4.0 0.3 5.7
1959 New York 2 22.5 .429 .500 11.5 1.0 13.0
1960 Minneapolis 8 18.4 .415 .720 6.6 1.1 6.5
1961 L.A. Lakers 12 28.3 .422 .769 10.4 0.8 10.2
1962 L.A. Lakers 13 18.6 .492 .684 5.9 0.5 6.5
Career 38 22.0 .419 .701 7.6 0.8 7.9

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Raymond Darlington Felix (December 10, 1930 – July 28, 1991) was an American professional player known for his tenure as a center in the (NBA). A native of , he rose to prominence after starring at Metropolitan High School and before being selected as the first overall pick in the by the Baltimore Bullets. Felix quickly established himself as a dominant force in his rookie season, earning the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in 1953–54—the first African American player to receive the honor—and selection to the , where he recorded 13 points and 11 rebounds. Over his nine-season NBA career, he played for the Bullets (1953–54), (1954–60), and Minneapolis Lakers (1959–60) and (1960–62), appearing in 637 regular-season games and averaging 10.9 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game. Standing at 6 feet 11 inches and weighing 220 pounds, Felix was renowned for his athleticism and rebounding prowess, including career highs of 35 points and 30 rebounds in single games. Notable for his intense on-court rivalry with center , Felix contributed to playoff appearances with the Knicks and Lakers, though his career was marked by transitions between teams amid the league's early competitive landscape. Post-retirement, his contributions to New York were recognized with induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.

Early life and education

Childhood and family background

Ray Felix was born on December 10, 1930, in . Raised in the city during the and the ensuing years of economic recovery, Felix grew up amid the racial and socioeconomic challenges faced by African American communities in urban New York neighborhoods. Records indicate he had no brothers but was one of five siblings, including four sisters. This upbringing in a shaped his resilience and set the stage for his transition to competitive high school .

High school career

Ray Felix attended Metropolitan High School in during the late 1940s, where his imposing 6-foot-11-inch frame and athletic prowess quickly established him as a standout center and the city's first seven-foot player. Post-junior year, he transitioned to semipro play with the Manchester British-Americans of the in , where he led the team to a postseason championship and earned acclaim as the circuit's newest scoring sensation. These early accomplishments highlighted Felix as a premier New York basketball prospect, facilitating his subsequent recruitment to .

College career

Felix enrolled at () in 1949, joining the Blackbirds team under renowned coach , who had built the program into a national powerhouse. As a 6-foot-11 center, Felix transitioned from freshman eligibility in the 1949-50 season—where earned a (NIT) berth, though they lost in the first round to Syracuse 80-52—to becoming a key starter as a sophomore in 1950-51. Alongside teammate Sherman White, Felix emerged as one of the team's primary scoring threats, contributing to a strong 20-4 overall record that season and solidifying 's reputation for dominant play in an era of independent competition. Felix's college career, however, was abruptly halted after his sophomore year due to the explosive point-shaving that implicated several players and led to the indefinite suspension of the university's basketball program. Although Felix was not involved in the corruption, the events forced him to forgo further amateur play and pursue professional opportunities earlier than anticipated. His standout performances at , including his physical dominance in the paint, directly positioned him as the first overall pick in the by the Baltimore Bullets, marking a seamless transition to .

Professional basketball career

NBA draft and rookie season

In the , Ray Felix was selected as the first overall pick by the Baltimore Bullets, marking a significant milestone as the first African American player chosen at the top position in league history. This selection highlighted Felix's standout college performance at , where his size and athleticism as a 6-foot-11 center positioned him as a prime prospect for the professional level. During his rookie season in 1953-54, Felix averaged 17.6 points and 13.3 rebounds per game over 72 appearances for the Bullets, earning him fifth place in league scoring and fourth in rebounding. His contributions were pivotal in a season where the Bullets struggled with a 16-56 record, finishing last in the Eastern Division amid ongoing team instability. Despite the challenges, Felix demonstrated strong adaptation to the NBA's increased physicality, leveraging his agility and rebounding prowess to make an immediate impact against established veterans. Felix's exceptional debut culminated in him being named the 1954 NBA Rookie of the Year, the first African American recipient of the award, recognizing his transformative presence on a faltering roster. This honor also included his selection to the 1954 , underscoring his rapid rise as one of the league's top young big men.

Baltimore Bullets tenure

During his tenure with the Baltimore Bullets, Ray Felix established himself as the team's primary center and a consistent starter throughout the 1953-54 season. Standing at 6 feet 11 inches, he anchored the frontcourt with his size and athleticism, playing 37.1 minutes per game on average while leading the squad in scoring and rebounding. Felix averaged 17.6 points and 13.3 rebounds per game across 72 appearances, marking his peak rebounding season and ranking him fourth league-wide in total rebounds. His efficient play inside, shooting 41.7% from the field, highlighted his development as a scorer who focused on high-percentage opportunities near the basket. Felix's defensive presence was crucial for the Bullets, a squad in transition under coach , as he provided rim protection and board control against tough Eastern Division opponents like the and Philadelphia Warriors. Despite his individual success—which built on his Rookie of the Year accolade—he could not elevate the team's overall performance, with struggling due to inconsistent guard play and injuries to key contributors like Paul Hoffman. The Bullets finished the season with a dismal 16-56 record, placing ninth in the 10-team league and failing to qualify for the , underscoring the challenges of a rebuilding roster in a competitive era. As the franchise faced financial difficulties leading into the next season, Felix's value as a young star prompted a trade on September 17, 1954, sending him to the in exchange for veterans Connie Simmons and . This deal reflected the Bullets' precarious position, which ultimately led to the team's folding just two months later after only 14 games into the 1954-55 campaign. In , Felix had emerged as a leader among his teammates, using his college-honed fundamentals to mentor younger players on a squad short on experience.

New York Knicks era

Felix's tenure with the New York Knicks represented a homecoming for the New York City native, who had been traded from the Baltimore Bullets in 1954 after just one professional season. In his first season with the Knicks in 1954-55, he averaged 15.3 points and 11.5 rebounds per game over 72 appearances, helping the team to a 38-34 record and second place in the Eastern Division. The Knicks advanced to the division semifinals but lost 1-2 to the Syracuse Nationals. Felix continued his solid play in 1955-56, averaging 14.3 points and 9.9 rebounds in 72 games as the Knicks finished 35-37 and fourth in the East. They qualified for the via a but lost to the Syracuse Nationals in a . By the 1957-58 campaign, he had established himself as a reliable presence in the Knicks' frontcourt, averaging 12.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game over 72 appearances, contributing to a team that finished 35-37 and fifth in the Eastern Division. His scoring and rebounding prowess provided stability amid the Knicks' middling performance, as the franchise struggled to contend in a competitive league landscape. In the 1958-59 season, Felix maintained his consistency, posting 10.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per game in another full slate of 72 games, helping the Knicks improve slightly to a 40-32 record and third place in the East, though they again missed the playoffs. As a local product from Metropolitan High School in , Felix became a fan favorite at , where he often led the team in scoring during home contests, endearing himself to supporters with his athleticism and familiarity with the city's culture. His performances at the iconic venue highlighted his role as a bridge between New York's streetball roots and professional play, even as the Knicks hovered around mediocrity. Felix's production dipped in the 1959-60 season, where he appeared in only 16 games for the Knicks, averaging 5.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game amid apparent slumps and reduced minutes, as the team languished at 27-48 overall. Despite these challenges, his earlier contributions underscored his value to the franchise during a period of East Coast stability. On , 1960, midway through the season, the Knicks traded Felix to the Lakers in exchange for guard Dick Garmaker, $25,000 in cash, and the Lakers' second-round pick in the (which became forward Dave Budd).

Los Angeles Lakers stint

Felix joined the Los Angeles Lakers via a trade from the New York Knicks on January 24, 1960, in exchange for Dick Garmaker and a draft pick. During the 1960–61 season, Felix served as a rotation center for the Lakers, providing depth behind key frontcourt players such as Elgin Baylor and Rudy LaRusso. In 78 games, he averaged 6.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 19.4 minutes per game. The Lakers finished 36-43 and second in the Western Division, advancing to the division finals but losing 3-4 to the St. Louis Hawks. His production dipped slightly in the following year, appearing in all 80 games with averages of 5.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 18.5 minutes per game, reflecting his role in supporting the team's high-powered offense led by Baylor's scoring prowess. The Lakers reached the , where they faced the in a seven-game series that ended in a 4–3 loss for Los Angeles. Felix played limited minutes off the bench, averaging 13.6 minutes, 4.0 points, and 4.0 rebounds per game across the seven contests, contributing primarily through rebounding and defensive presence against Boston's frontcourt. As Felix entered the later stages of his career at age 31, his playing time and output continued to decline amid increased competition in the Lakers' roster, leading to his retirement following the 1961–62 season after nine years in the NBA.

Rivalry with Bill Russell

Origins of the matchup

The rivalry between Ray Felix and began during Russell's rookie season with the Boston Celtics in 1956-57, when the two centers first faced off in regular-season games between the New York Knicks and Celtics. Felix, already a three-year NBA veteran by then, encountered the 22-year-old Russell in multiple matchups that season, setting the stage for their ongoing confrontations as the Knicks and Celtics clashed frequently in the Eastern Division. The tension escalated notably on February 28, 1957, during a Knicks-Celtics game that New York won 122–121, highlighted by a heated incident where Felix physically provoked the newcomer Russell, prompting Russell—encouraged by coach —to retaliate by knocking Felix unconscious, an event that underscored their immediate adversarial dynamic. By the time of their initial meetings, Felix had established himself as an center, having earned the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 1954 as the first African American to achieve that honor, paving the way for Black players in . In contrast, Russell represented a new wave of defensive innovation, quickly revolutionizing the center position with his shot-blocking and rebounding prowess, which transformed the Celtics' fortunes and influenced the entire NBA. Both men shared racial parallels as African American pioneers in a league still grappling with integration, with Felix's early success breaking barriers just four years after the first Black players entered the NBA, and Russell emerging as the first Black superstar to lead a dynasty. Their on-court styles provided a stark contrast that fueled the matchup's intrigue: Felix relied on his athleticism and scoring ability, using his 6'11" frame for powerful dunks and efficient post scoring to average double digits in points throughout the . Russell, however, prioritized defense and rebounding, often sacrificing personal offense to anchor Boston's schemes with unparalleled shot alteration and board control, a focus that earned him nods starting in 1958. Early press coverage in New York and amplified this rivalry, portraying their encounters as emblematic "big man" battles that pitted the Knicks' offensive force against the Celtics' defensive anchor. Newspapers like and Boston Globe highlighted the physicality and stakes of these center duels in postgame recaps from the late 1950s, framing them as key rivalries in the evolving NBA landscape amid growing fan interest in East Coast showdowns. Felix's tenure with the Knicks from 1954 to 1960 provided consistent opportunities for these high-profile clashes against Russell's Celtics.

Key games and impact

Throughout Felix's six seasons with the Knicks from 1954 to 1960, the two centers clashed in numerous regular-season games between the Knicks and Celtics, often turning into physical battles that tested Felix's offensive skills against Russell's elite defense. These matchups, such as the close 128-127 Celtics victory over the Knicks on November 21, 1959, exemplified the intensity of their rivalry, with Felix frequently tasked with scoring inside while Russell dominated the boards and altered shots. The rivalry reached its peak in the , pitting Felix and the against Russell and the Celtics in a hard-fought seven-game series. Felix started at for the Lakers, but Russell's rebounding prowess proved decisive; in Game 7, Russell recorded 30 points and a then-Finals record 40 rebounds in 53 minutes, leading Boston to a 110-107 win and denying Los Angeles its first championship since moving from Minneapolis. Felix contributed modestly in the series, averaging 4.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game across limited minutes as the Lakers relied more on and offensively. This series of matchups significantly influenced both players' careers, compelling Felix to enhance his defensive capabilities to counter Russell's revolutionary style, which prioritized rebounding, shot-blocking, and team defense over individual scoring—a shift that redefined the center position in the NBA. The rivalry also amplified narratives around , as Felix, the league's first Black Rookie of the Year in , and Russell, its first Black in 1966, represented pioneering Black excellence amid growing diversity in the league. In retrospect, these encounters underscored Felix's underappreciated contributions as a scoring big man in the pre-Russell dynasty era, highlighting how his battles with the Celtics star illuminated the competitive evolution of professional .

Post-basketball life

Employment and community work

After retiring from professional basketball in 1963, Ray Felix joined the Department of as a management analyst and league administrator, where he organized youth programs and tournaments aimed at engaging urban children. In this role, he directed community centers, such as the one at PS 18 in the Patterson Houses of the , supervising sports activities to keep facilities open on weekends, holidays, and evenings, thereby providing structured opportunities for local youth. Felix's prior NBA experience lent credibility to his efforts, enabling him to mentor young athletes amid New York City's social and economic challenges in the 1970s and 1980s. He advocated for sustained funding for urban recreation programs, expressing concerns over potential layoffs of community workers that could limit access to these initiatives for at-risk youth. Additionally, a summer basketball tournament in his East Elmhurst, Queens, neighborhood bore his name, further extending his influence in fostering local talent. In the mid-1970s onward, Felix transitioned to a supervisory position at a men's shelter in , where he aided homeless individuals through oversight of support services.

Later years and death

In his later years, Ray Felix resided in , New York, continuing his dedication to as a at the Harlem Men's Shelter, where he counseled and supported homeless men. This role marked a meaningful extension of his post-basketball life, focused on providing practical aid and encouragement to those in need. Felix passed away on July 28, 1991, at his home in , at the age of 60, due to a heart attack. A service was held on August 2, 1991, in . Contemporary accounts portrayed Felix as a "quiet, " in basketball history, with tributes from residents and staff emphasizing his personal kindness—such as providing clothing and job assistance—amid reflections on his underrecognized NBA career. At the time of his death, he had received few formal honors for his athletic achievements, though his legacy began to inspire later acknowledgments of his pioneering role as the NBA's first African American Rookie of the Year.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Ray Felix was married to Gloria Felix, and the couple had one son, Ray Felix Jr. The family resided in , New York, where Felix maintained his home during and after his NBA career with the New York Knicks.

Health and legacy contributions

Felix's enduring legacy lies in his pioneering role as one of the earliest African American stars in the NBA, breaking racial barriers during the league's formative years of integration. Beyond his on-court achievements, Felix's contributions extend to his symbolic representation in NBA history as a trailblazer who highlighted the talents of overlooked Black players amid widespread racial challenges in the . His story is often cited in narratives of the league's early diversification, emphasizing resilience and athletic excellence against systemic obstacles. In recognition of these foundational efforts, Felix was posthumously inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012, honoring his New York roots and broader influence on the sport. Felix died of a heart attack on July 28, 1991, at the age of 60.

Career statistics and honors

Regular season and playoff stats

Ray Felix played nine seasons in the NBA, appearing in 637 regular season games and accumulating 6,974 points, 5,654 rebounds, and 456 assists, for career averages of 10.9 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game. His production peaked during his season of 1953-54 with the Baltimore Bullets, when he averaged 17.6 points and 13.3 rebounds per game en route to earning NBA Rookie of the Year honors, though comprehensive advanced metrics were not tracked in that era. The following table summarizes his regular season per-game averages by year:
SeasonTeam(s)GMPPTSTRBAST
1953-54BLB7237.117.613.31.1
1954-55NYK7228.114.411.40.9
1955-56NYK7223.612.38.70.7
1956-57NYK7222.512.08.20.5
1957-58NYK7223.712.210.40.7
1958-59NYK7222.110.47.90.7
1959-60NYK/MNL4718.87.37.20.7
1960-617819.46.66.90.5
1961-628018.55.45.90.7
Career63723.810.98.90.7
Felix made five playoff appearances during his career, all after his rookie season: in 1955 with the (3 games), 1959 with the Knicks (2 games), 1960 with the Minneapolis Lakers (8 games), and 1961 and 1962 with the (12 and 13 games, respectively). Over 38 playoff games, he tallied 301 points and 290 rebounds for averages of 7.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, along with 27 assists. His most productive postseason came in 1961, when he averaged 10.2 points and 10.4 rebounds across 12 games. The following table summarizes his playoff per-game averages by year:
SeasonTeamGPTSTRBAST
1954-55NYK35.74.00.3
1958-59NYK213.011.51.0
1959-60MNL86.56.61.1
1960-611210.210.40.8
1961-62136.55.90.5
Career387.97.60.7

Awards and recognitions

Ray Felix earned significant accolades early in his NBA career, particularly during his standout season. In 1953–54 with the Baltimore Bullets, he was named the NBA Rookie of the Year after averaging 17.6 points and 13.3 rebounds per game, marking him as the first African American to receive the honor. That same year, Felix was selected to the , further highlighting his immediate impact as the league's top first-year player. Felix garnered additional recognition in subsequent seasons for his consistent performance as a rebounding and scoring center. During the 1956–57 campaign with the , he placed eighth in voting for the NBA Most Valuable Player award, reflecting his value to the team amid a competitive era. Post-career honors affirmed Felix's lasting contributions to . In 2012, he was inducted into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame, celebrating his achievements as a and NBA trailblazer.

References

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