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He and seven others receive the prestigious honor.
Source: NMSU Athletics
Image: Courtesy
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Former NM State men’s basketball legend Sam Lacey has been selected for induction into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the 2024 class.
This prestigious honor is reserved for the most outstanding players and coaches in collegiate basketball history, recognizing their extraordinary performances and lasting impact on the sport.
Born on March 28, 1948, in Indianola, Miss., Lacey graduated from Gentry High School before embarking on a remarkable collegiate career at NM State from 1967 to 1970. During his time in the Crimson & White, Lacey helped lead the Aggies to a 74-14 record, averaging a formidable 16.3 points and 14.2 rebounds per game over three seasons.
The 1969-70 season was a historic campaign for both Lacey and NM State. Nicknamed “Slammin’ Sam,” Lacey played a pivotal role in guiding the Aggies to a 27-3 record and the school’s first and only Final Four appearance. That season, the 6-foot-10 forward set school records that still stand today, including 15.9 rebounds per game and 493 total rebounds. Lacey also averaged 17.7 points per game and earned All-American honors alongside teammate Jimmy Collins for their notable contributions to the team’s success.
Following his stellar college career, Lacey was selected fifth overall in the first round of the 1970 NBA draft by the Cincinnati Royals. He quickly established himself as one of the league’s premier rebounders, averaging double-digit rebounds in each of his first six seasons. In 1975, he earned NBA All-Star honors after delivering his best statistical season, posting 14.2 points and 13.4 rebounds per game for the Royals, who later became the Kansas City Kings. Lacey concluded his 13-year NBA career with stints at the New Jersey Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers, finishing with career averages of 10.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. His impact on the franchise was cemented when the Kings retired his No. 44 jersey in 1983 shortly after his NBA retirement.
To show respect for Lacey’s legacy, in 1975, he was inducted into the US Bank/NM State Athletics Hall of Fame. He was part of the inaugural class of the Aggies Ring of Honor in 2008, alongside his former head coach and fellow legend Lou Henson, and in 2015, he became the first NM State player inducted into the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame.
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Now, with his induction into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, Lacey joins the ranks of college basketball’s all-time greats, solidifying his legacy as one of the sport’s most influential figures.
For complete coverage of NM State Men’s Basketball, visit NMStateSports.com – the official home of Aggie athletics – and follow us on Twitter (@NMStateMBB), Instagram (@NMStateMBB), and like us on Facebook (NMStateMBB).
Former Aggie Head Coach Lou Henson was inducted in 2015.
