NBA: The 25 least deserving Hall of Famers of all-time
NBA: The 25 least deserving Hall of Famers of all-time: 10. Maurice Stokes
Stats: 16.4 ppg, 17.3 rpg, 5.3 apg
If time permitted, we have little to no doubt that Maurice Stokes Hall of Fame legitimacy would’ve never been questioned. However, with only three full years in the association, we have no choice but to bring him to the carpet.
Stokes was a monster in every sense of the word during his time in the league. He was easily voted the Rookie of the Year at the end of the 1955-56 season after putting together averages of 16.8 points and 16.3 rebounds, the latter led the league.
For the next two seasons, Stokes averaged in the mid-teens as a scorer and in the high teens as a rebounder. He was selected to three consecutive All-Star Games and three straight All-NBA squads as well.
Unfortunately for Stokes, his time in the league, and ultimately on earth, was cut short. The promising center was left paralyzed after suffering a seizure and would never play in the league again after the 1957-58 season.
For as great as he was, Stokes simply didn’t have the longevity to be named to the Hall of Fame.