Frank Selvy, Who Nearly Lifted Lakers To '62 Finals Win Over Rival Celtics, Dead At 91

Former Furman star Frank Selvy, who played nine years in the NBA, most notably with the Lakers, has died. He was 91.

His death was confirmed by the school and his family, though a cause was not released. Selvy once scored 100 points in a college game and a release from the school’s athletic department called him “Furman’s all-time greatest athlete.”

Selvey, who stood 6-foot-3, was born in Corbin, Kentucky. Per the Associated Press: “He played at Furman from 1952-54 and twice led the NCAA in scoring, averaging 41.7 points as a senior. That year, Selvy made history by scoring 100 points (41 field goals, 18 free throws) in a 145-95 victory over Newberry on Feb. 13, 1954, in Greenville.”

After that, he was the No. 1 overall pick by the Baltimore Bullets (now Washington Wizards) in the 1954 NBA Draft. Selvey went on to play for five franchises and become a two-time All-Star. He spent more than four seasons with the Lakers, and was part of the franchise’s move from Minneapolis to Los Angeles in 1960.

His most notable game came in Game 7 of the 1962 NBA Finals, when he recorded two crucial rebounds and hit two critical shots in the span of 20 seconds to help the Lakers overcome a four-point deficit. Yet he was known for his missed 12-foot jumper at the end of regulation that would’ve given the Lakers the championship. Instead, the rival Celtics won in overtime, claiming the title.

Selvy eventually returned to Furman and coached the Paladins for four seasons, compiling a 44-59 mark. He then worked for the St. Joe Paper Company for 25 years.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Barbara, as well as his two children, Valerie S. Miros and Mike Selvy, along with 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.