John Wooden Turns 99

SI Staff | Oct 15, 2009

John Wooden Turns 99

Walter Iooss Jr./SI

UCLA legend John Wooden turned 99 on Wednesday, Oct. 14. To celebrate, we look back at his life in pictures.

College Basketball Hall of Fame Induction

AP

Wooden was inducted into the first-ever National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame class in 2006, a class that included Dean Smith, Bill Russell, Oscar Robertson and James Naismith. He is also in the Basketball Hall of Fame, both as a player (class of 1961) and a coach (1973).

The Wooden Award

AP

The Wooden Award, presented annually to the outstanding collegiate basketball Player of the Year, was founded in 1976. In this photo, then-Texas sophomore point guard T. J. Ford listens to Wooden after receiving the honor.

The Wooden Award (Part II)

AP

Former Duke star Alana Beard talks with Wooden after winning the first women's Wooden Award.

Nell & John Wooden Court

John W. McDonough/SI

Pauley Pavilion's court was named the Nell & John Wooden Court in 2003. Nell, a sideline fixture at UCLA and John's wife for 53 years, died in 1985.

UCLA

AP

During his career at UCLA, Wooden led the Bruins to 10 national titles. He retired after his last one, in 1975. His highest annual salary at UCLA: $35,000.

Lew Alcindor

AP

Among Coach Wooden's most famous players: future NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then known as Lew Alcindor).

Sportsman Of The Year

Wooden was named SI's Sportsman of the Year in 1972, along with Billie Jean King.

Bill Walton and Swen Nater

AP

Bill Walton and Swen Nater flank Wooden in this 1972 photo. Legend has it that tucked away in Bill Walton's wallet is his personal recipe for life, which was modeled after his college coach.

Purdue

AP

Coach Wooden was a standout during his playing days at Purdue, where he was a three-time consensus All-America.