By Ethan Copeland, PSO Asst. Director of Football & Basketball Analytics
Aug 31, 2022

On August 31st, 2022, the Houston Rockets announced they would be retiring the Elvin Hayes #44 jersey, making it a great time to look at all of the remarkable records and historic achievements the NBA Hall of Famer has to his name.

Elvin Hayes was selected first overall in the 1968 NBA draft by the San Diego Rockets. Hayes, otherwise known as “The Big E” was an instant star for San Diego, becoming the 1969 scoring champion and earning NBA All-Rookie First-Team honors. Hayes had quite the NBA journey and is best known for bringing the only championship to the Washington Bullets in 1978 while putting together one of basketball’s most legendary careers. 

Before his time in the NBA, the Louisiana native achieved instant success at the University of Houston, spending three years with the Cougars and averaging career stats of 31.0 points and 17.2 rebounds per game. Hayes recorded 39 points and 15 rebounds on January 20th, 1968, which was the first-ever nationally televised regular-season college basketball contest, otherwise known as the “Game of the Century.” Hayes began his career with the San Diego Rockets, who relocated to Houston in 1971. 

Shortly after the relocation, Hayes was traded to the Baltimore Bullets, who became the Washington Bullets and eventually the Washington Wizards in 1997. Elvin consistently posted high-scoring double-double averages on his way to becoming a true superstar. Alongside co-star Wes Unseld, #11 led the Wizards to three NBA finals appearances and one NBA title in nine seasons. Hayes’ legacy as one of basketball’s greatest all-time scorers, rebounders, rim protectors, and leaders is everlasting to all fans of the game. 

Here are some of the greatest records to know about Elvin Hayes:

Elvin Hayes stats records rebounds points blocks
Via Basketball Reference
 

It is safe to say that Elvin Hayes lived up to the high expectations of a #1 overall draft pick

HOF resume:

  • 12x All-Star
  • 3x All-NBA 1st Team
  • 3x All-NBA 2nd Team 
  • 2x All-Defense 2nd Team
  • 2x NBA REB leader
  • 1978 NBA Champion
  • 1969 NBA Scoring Champ 
  • 1969 All-Rookie 1st Team
  • Most ASG (10) in 1970s
  • NBA 50th/75th Anniversary Team 
  • #11 retired by Wizards
  • #44 retired by Rockets

In just 7 seasons with the Rockets, Hayes proved his value to the San Diego/Houston franchise 

Rockets records:

  • Season FGM (948)
  • Season MIN (3,695)
  • Seasons (3) of 1,200+ REB
  • Seasons (3) of 15+ RPG
  • Seasons (4) of 800+ FGM
  • Career games (17) of 25+ REB 
  • Games of 5+/10+/15+ REB in 1 season
  • Games of 10+/15+ FGM in 1 season
  • Consecutive seasons (4) of 25+ PPG & 12+ RPG
  • Consecutive games of 10+/15+ REB

Right out of the gate, Hayes proved he was a legit force in the NBA

Elvin’s Rockets Rookie records:

  • Points (2,327) 
  • PPG (28.4)
  • REB (1,406)
  • RPG (17.1)
  • FGM (930)
  • FTM (467)
  • MIN (3,695)
  • Games of 10+/20+/50+ PTS
  • Games of 10+/15+/20+/25+ REB
  • Games of 5+/10+/15+/20+ FGM
  • Games of 5+/10+ FTM 
  • PTS (54) in 1 game
  • REB (27) in 1 game
  • FGM (20) in 1 game

“The Big E” is a legend in Washington, helping the struggling franchise achieve their 1st & only Championship

Elvin Hayes’ Wizards records:

  • Career PTS (15,551)
  • Career BLK (1,558)
  • Career FGM (6,251)
  • Career FTM (3,046) 
  • Seasons (9) of 1,500+ PTS
  • Seasons (8) of 600+ FGM
  • Games of 10+/15+/20+ PTS
  • Games of 5+/10+ FGM
  • 40+ PTS & 30+ REB in 1 game
  • 20+ PTS/20+ REB/10+ BLK in 1 game
  • Consecutive seasons (8) of 18+ PPG & 10+ RPG

Elvin reached a different level in the postseason, which helped the Wizards in the biggest moments

Hayes’ Wizards Playoff records:

  • Career PTS (1,991)
  • Career STL (95)
  • Career BLK (212)
  • Career FGM (806)
  • Career FTM (385)
  • Career Double-Doubles (67)
  • PTS (457) in 1 Postseason
  • STL (32) in 1 Postseason
  • BLK (52) in 1 Postseason
  • FGM (189) in 1 Postseason
  • MIN (868) in 1 Postseason
  • Double-Doubles (17) in 1 Postseason
  • Games of 10+/20+/30+/40+ PTS 
  • Games of 1/2/3/4/5+ BLK
  • Games of 5+/10+/15+ FGM 
  • PTS (46) & FGM (19) in 1 game

Hayes could get a bucket whenever he wanted, and still owns the all-time points record in the Nation’s Capital 

Most career Points in Washington Wizards history:

1. Elvin Hayes (15,551)

2. Bradley Beal (14,231)^

3. Jeff Malone (11,083)

4. John Wall (10,879)

5. Wes Unseld (10,624)

Not just an elite scorer, Hayes was also a standout defender with way more blocks than any other player in DC history

Most career Blocks in Washington Wizards history:

1. Elvin Hayes (1,558)

2. Charles Jones (1,051)

3. Manute Bol (908)

4. Brendan Haywood (865)

5. Rick Mahorn (557)

1 OF THE DC GOATS

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