Elvin Ernest Hayes, also known as “The Big E,” is a well-known American basketball player. He made a name for himself in the 1970s and is now regarded as one of the best academic and professional players in the world. Hayes, on the other hand, spent 16 seasons in the NBA. He also works as a radio analyst for the Houston Cougars, his alma mater. Elvin is also a member of the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team and a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee.

Quick facts

Early Life, Family and Education of Elvin Hayes

Elvin was the youngest of six children born to Christopher Hayes, a proud father, and Savannah Hayes, a supportive mother.

They worked as cotton mill laborers in Rayville, Louisiana, a small, impoverished town. Hayes had been through the darkest times of his life since he was a child.

He didn’t even have a pair of shoes to wear and had to ask his cousin for permission to go anywhere.

As African Americans were mistreated, Elvin’s favourite sport, baseball, provided him with an escape from the prejudice and aggression directed at his race.

Similarly, the start of a basketball career was completely unintentional. Hayes was routinely denied by his professors for class pranks, despite the fact that he was an upright student throughout high school.

Elvin was also placed on the basketball team by the respected John Calvin in order to steer him away from the dangerous turn in his life.

He worked at Eula D. Britton High School as a teacher and trainer. Hayes was awkward at first, but he worked hard to improve.

Age, Height and Body Measurements of Elvin Hayes

Hayes, the former great footballer, was born on November 17, 1945, making him 76 years old in 2022.

He stands at a towering 6 feet 9 inches (206 cm) and weighs around 235 pounds (107 kg).

Elvin isn’t the tallest player in the NBA, but he is one of the tallest players in the league.

Hayes also has brown eyes and black curly hair, which complement his features nicely.

Elvin Ernest had a strong frame and a well-kept body back in the day. He exercised a lot and had a rigorous diet.

He is a Scorpio man, according to his birth date. Scorpios have a reputation for being career-oriented and hardworking people. And it’s possible that this is true in his instance.

NBA Career

San Diego/Houston Rockets

Hayes joined the San Diego Rockets in the NBA in 1968. He averaged roughly 17.1 rebounds per game and scored an astounding 28.4 points per game.

Elvin was also named to the NBA’s All-Rookie Team. Hayes went on to become the NBA’s fifth-best all-time recruit and the last rookie to lead the league in scoring average.

On November 11, 1968, he set a career high with 54 points in a game against the Detroit Pistons. Elvin led the NBA in rebounding in another season.

Since 1957, he was the only player other than Bill Russell or Wilt Chamberlain to lead the team (Chamberlain was injured throughout the season).

Hayes had a career-high 28.7 points per game in his third season. Similarly, the Rockets relocated to Houston in 1971, allowing Elvin to perform in the city where he won his college championships.

Bullets of Baltimore

Capital Washington

Elvin was a member of the Baltimore Bullets in 1975, when he was acquired in exchange for Jack Marin.

Hayes led the Washington Bullets to three NBA Finals (1975, 1978, and 1979), and the Seattle Supersonics were eliminated from the league in 1978.

Similarly, he averaged 21.8 points and 12.1 rebounds per game in 21 postseason games for the Bullets during their 1978 championship season.

In a game against the Supersonics, Hayes also set an NBA Finals record for most offensive rebounds in a game.

Dennis Rodman of the Chicago Bulls broke this record twice, both times against the Seattle Supersonics in the 1996 NBA Finals.

Back to Rockets

In 1981, Elvin was returned to the Rockets in exchange for second-round draft picks. Not to mention the fact that Hayes wanted to end his playing career in Texas, specifically in Houston.

“I had no desire to work in the sports industry.” Basketball, on the other hand, provided me independence, which I never imagined I’d have.”

Elvin Hayes Career after Basketball

He returned to his university after his basketball career ended to complete the remaining course hours required for his undergrad degree.

Elvin enrolled at the University of Houston in 1986 and received his bachelor’s degree in recreation and speech.

He also considered a variety of business opportunities and farmed cattle on his property near Texas in order to open a car dealership in Houston.

Elvin stated in one of the interviews that studying was more challenging than playing professional basketball for 16 years. “, he explained.

“I played professional basketball for 16 years, but this is the most difficult thing I’ve ever done.”

Elvin joined the City of Liberty Police Reserve in 2007. He stated that being one was a childhood aspiration of his.

He became a radio analyst for the Houston Cougars, broadcasting games on Houston’s KBME, after completing his duty. From all of this, it’s evident that Elvin had a successful career.

Highlights, Awards and Honors for Elvin Hayes

Hayes had previously established himself as a capable player before to entering the professional ranks. Hayes was among the best in numerous NBA statistical categories when he retired in 1984.

It includes third-place finishes in scoring (27,313 points), rebounds (16,279), obstructed shots (1,743), and minutes played (1,743). (nearly 50,000).

In 16 seasons, he only missed 9 games and was third in most games played (1,303).

Highlights and honors received over his career

• 1967-1968: Consensus first-team All-American, UPI Player of the Year, Associated Press Player of the Year, Consensus first-team All-American, Sporting News Player of the Year
• 1969-1970: NBA scoring champion, NBA All-Rookie First Team, 12× NBA All-Star (1969-1980), NBA rebounding leader 
• 1973-1979: 3x All-NBA Second Team, NBA All-Defensive Second Team, 2× NBA All-Defensive Second Team, All-NBA First Team, NBA champion (1978)
• NBA 50th Anniversary Team
• NBA 75th Anniversary Team
• No. 11 retired by Washington Wizards
• No. 44 retired by Houston Cougars

Family and Personal Life of Elvin Hayes

Elvin Hayes is blissfully married to Erna Livingston, his long-time girlfriend. Erica, Erna Elisse, and Elvin Hayes Jr. are the couple’s four children.

They Call Me the “Big E,” Hayes’ autobiography co-written with Bill Gilbert, provides many insights into Elvin’s personality but contains little personal information.

For biographical information, Scott Crawford’s “Elvin Hayes,” in African American Sports Greats (1999), corrected by David Porter, is a good source.

Sports Star Elvin Hayes (1980) by H. Burchard is a worthy babyish book on Hayes.

“No Back Seat for Elvin,” by David Llores, Ebony (Mar. 1968), provides some home information that is not available elsewhere.

“The Big E Wants an MVP,” Sports DemonsOctober 16(October 16, 1978), by John Papanek, is an excellent assessment of Hayes’ career.

Elvin Hayes | Presence on Social Media:

Elvin Hayes is not active on social media. He leads a very private life with little to no social media presence. Elvin’s private social media account is @elvin.hayes.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is Elvin Hayes’ jersey number?

Elvin Hayes wore the numbers 44 and 11 with the Houston Rockets and the Washington Wizards, respectively.

What is the value of Elvin Hayes’ rookie card from Topps?

The price of an Elvin Hayes Topps rookie card fluctuates from $21.26 to $283.99.

Did Michael Jordan and Elvin Hayes ever play against each other?

No, they didn’t have an opportunity to play each other in the NBA. Hayes left the NBA the same year Jordan was picked.

Is G.M. Autoworld owned by Elvin Hayes?

Elvin Hayes does, in fact, own Liberty-Dayton G.M. Autoworld, which is located outside of Houston.

Is Elvin Hayes a member of the Breitbart Hall of Fame?

Yes, in 2003, Elvin Hayes was inducted into the Breitbard Hall of Fame.