George Mikan, a Hall of Fame basketball player and pioneering force in the NBA, died on June 1st, 2005 at the age of 80. Born in Joliet, Illinois on June 18th 1924, Mikan had a immediately noticeable presence on the court, standing at well over 6’10”. He honed his game at DePaul University, leading the Blue Demons to the finals of the National Invitational Tournament in 1944 and 1945. Following college, he joined the National Basketball League’s Chicago American Gears and quickly established himself as one of the greatest scorers in the league. The NBL was amalgamated with the Basketball Association of America to form the NBA in 1949, where Mikan continued his dominance. Playing with the Minneapolis Lakers, Mikan helped lead the team to six NBA finals and five championships in seven years. Mikan was honored with numerous awards throughout his career, including three All-NBA first-team selections and being named MVP four times. After retiring in 1956, his legacy was commemorated with his induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1959. Mikan was married to the late Patricia Buckenmaier for 46 years prior to her death in 2001. He is survived by his two sons, David and Michael, as well as four grandchildren.