Frank Selvy, the basketball legend who once set the NCAA Division I benchmark by scoring an extraordinary 100 points in a single game, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 91. His family announced that Selvy died at his home in Simpsonville, a piece of news that was later confirmed by the Furman athletic department.
Born in Corbin, Kentucky, Selvy's journey to basketball immortality was forged during his collegiate years at Furman University. It was there, on February 13, 1954, that he etched his name into the annals of sports history by netting an astounding 41 field goals and 18 free throws, amassing a total of 100 points in a resounding 145-95 victory over Newberry in Greenville. This herculean scoring effort remains an NCAA Division I record to this day.
Between 1952 and 1954, Selvy led the NCAA in scoring twice, exemplifying his offensive prowess. In his senior season, he averaged an unprecedented 41.7 points per game and scored 40 points or more in 22 of his 78 college games. His remarkable achievements on the court earned him Southern Conference Player of the Year honors for the 1952-53 and 1953-54 seasons, and he was a three-time All-America selection.
“Furman's all-time greatest athlete,” remarked Jason Donnelly, Furman's vice president of intercollegiate athletics, encapsulating the high regard in which Selvy was held by his alma mater and the wider basketball community.
Selvy's talents did not go unnoticed by the professional ranks. In 1954, he was selected as the No. 1 overall draft pick by the Baltimore Bullets, marking the beginning of a nine-year NBA career. Over his time in the league, Selvy played for five different franchises, becoming a two-time All-Star along the way.
A significant chapter of his professional journey unfolded with the Lakers, with whom he spent his last four and a half seasons. This period included the franchise's historic relocation from Minneapolis to Los Angeles in 1960, a move that symbolized a transformative era for the team.
After hanging up his NBA jersey, Selvy returned to Furman, this time channeling his deep knowledge and passion for the game into coaching. He led the Furman basketball team for four seasons, imparting the wisdom and experience he had gathered over his illustrious career to the next generation of players.
Frank Selvy is survived by his wife, Barbara, their two children, Valerie S. Miros and Mike Selvy, as well as 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. His passing is a profound loss for the basketball community, and his legacy will continue to inspire aspiring athletes for generations to come.