Personal information | |
---|---|
Born | November 13, 1929 |
Died | September 16, 2001 | (aged 71)
Nationality | American |
Listed height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
Listed weight | 170 lb (77 kg) |
Career information | |
High school |
Stewardson ( Shelby County, Illinois) |
College | Millikin (1947–1951) |
NBA draft | 1951: 2nd round, 12th overall pick |
Selected by the Indianapolis Olympians | |
Position | Forward |
Number | 33 |
Career history | |
1951–1952 | Phillips 66ers |
1953–1954 | Phillips 66ers |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Scotty Steagall (November 13, 1929 – September 16, 2001) [1] was an American basketball player. After a collegiate career at Millikin University, Steagall was selected in the second round (12th overall) of the 1951 NBA draft by the Indianapolis Olympians. [1] He skipped the NBA, however, and opted instead to play in the Amateur Athletic Union for the Phillips 66ers, one of the most dominant teams in amateur basketball during the mid-20th century.
Steagall had a prolific career at Millikin between 1947 and 1951. During his four years as a member of the Big Blue, he scored 2,127 points and led all small colleges in scoring nationally as a senior. [2] That season he scored 888 points in 31 games for an average of 28.6 points per game. [2] In addition to the scoring average, Steagall also led the nation in total field goals (314), free throws (260), and assists (122). [2] He guided Millikin to a berth in the NAIA national championship game, but despite losing to Hamline, Steagall was named the NAIA Tournament MVP. [2] [3] Converse named him a first team All-American for his outstanding play during 1950–51. [3]
His scoring bursts were not limited to his senior season, however. As a freshman in 1947–48, Steagall averaged 12.0 points per game, increased it to 21.2 as a sophomore, then 23.9 as a junior. [1] [2] He set the then-single game scoring mark for small colleges with a 59-point effort against Augustana College. [4]
After college, Steagall bypassed an NBA career despite being drafted by the Indianapolis Olympians. He signed to work in the sales department for the Phillips Petroleum Company in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. [4] He was to also play for their company team, the Phillips 66ers, in the Amateur Athletic Union. [4] After one season with the team in 1951–52, Steagall had to serve in the United States military to fight in the Korean War, thus missing the 1952–53 season. [5] He returned in November 1953 and re-joined the 66ers, [5] but lasted just one more season before being cut in March 1954. [6]
In 1972, Steagall was elected into the Millikin Hall of Fame. [7]