Another early legend makes our list. Paul Arizin did what few players would ever consider doing, he gave up part of his NBA career to serve his country. Yet even with his prime years dedicated somewhere else, Arizin managed to greatly impact the NBA.

Unlike many players Arizin was not a good basketball player early in life. He never played high school ball and didn’t make an organized team until his sophomore year at Villanova. He had a good first year at Villanova than exploded his other two seasons there. He played in 80 career games and averaged 20 points per contest.

The Philadelphia Warriors selected Arizin with their territorial pick in the 1950 NBA draft. Arizin had a solid rookie year averaging 17 points a game and helped make the Warriors a series threat in the eastern conference. In his second season he averaged a league leading 25 points per game and won all-star MVP. Than as quickly as his ascension was, his exodus was equally as quick. At just 24 years old and at the prime of his career Arizin joined the United States Marines to serve in the Korean conflict.

After his two years of military service Arizin returned to the Warriors and picked up right where he left off. He helped form one of the best trio’s in NBA history with Tom Gola, Neil Johnston and himself. In 1956 he averaged a career high 26 points per game and helped guide the Warriors to their first ever NBA title.

Arizin averaged 20 points or more in every NBA season he played except his rookie season. He also averaged over 9 rebounds in six of his 10 NBA season. Arizin retired from the NBA rather than move with the Warriors to San Francisco in 1962. He briefly played with the Camden Bullets of the East Coast League.

In total Arizin appeared in 713 career games and averaged 23 points and 9 rebounds. He was elected to the hall of fame in 1978 and in 1996 was named one of the 50 greatest players ever.

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