NBA Star Gene Wiley Passes Away at 88

Center Gene Wiley, known for his significant impact on the court during his four-season tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers, passed away on June 21 at the age of 88. Wiley’s career, though brief, was marked by notable achievements and encounters with fierce competitors like Bill Russell.

During his time with the Lakers, Wiley reached the NBA Finals three times, in 1963, 1964, and 1966. However, the Lakers faced the Boston Celtics in each of these Finals. The Celtics were amidst their remarkable streak of eight consecutive championships from 1959 to 1966, consistently overcoming the Lakers.

Wiley’s beginnings trace back to Amarillo, Texas. He showed promise as a standout center at Wichita State University between 1959 and 1962. Standing 6-foot-11, an imposing figure for that era, Wiley earned All-Missouri Valley Conference honors in 1961 and 1962. His skills in rebounding and shot-blocking earned him a place in Wichita State’s Hall of Fame in 1981.

Wiley joined the NBA when the Lakers selected him with the 17th overall pick in the 1962 NBA draft. Although he played alongside stars like Elgin Baylor and Jerry West and wasn’t the primary star, Wiley’s playoff performances were exceptional. In 27 playoff games, he averaged 26.3 minutes, a field-goal percentage of .505, and 10.1 rebounds per game, surpassing his regular-season statistics.

Wiley concluded his NBA career after the 1965-66 season with averages of 4.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Remarkably, his achievement of 14 rebounds in a single quarter against the New York Knicks on November 5, 1962, remains a Lakers team record.

In an attempt to return to professional basketball, Wiley played in the American Basketball Association during the 1967-68 season. However, after playing nine games with the Oakland Oaks and the Dallas Chaparrals, he ended his professional basketball journey.

Beyond basketball, Wiley pursued a passion for painting. While still at Wichita State, he began creating illustrative art, which eventually found its way into gallery exhibits throughout his life.

Reflecting on Wiley’s abilities, former Wichita State coach Ralph Miller remarked in his 1990 memoir “Spanning the Game,” saying, “Gene was a classy young man. Next to Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, he was probably the best shot-blocker in America. He was a great defensive player.”