Grady Wallace
Encyclopedia
Grady A. Wallace was an All-America
n basketball player for the South Carolina Gamecocks
in 1955–56 and 1956–57
. As a senior
in 1957, Wallace led the National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) scoring at 31.3 points per game, which edged out future Naismith Basketball Hall of Famers Elgin Baylor
(29.7) and Wilt Chamberlain
(29.6) for the scoring title. Prior to attending the University of South Carolina
, Wallace spent two years at Pikeville Junior College in his home state of Kentucky
. Born in Mare Creek
(now called Stanville) and raised in Betsy Layne
in Floyd County
, Wallace attended Betsy Layne High School from 1949 to 1953.
In Wallace's junior
season of college, his first with the Gamecocks, he averaged 23.9 points per game (ppg). When he then led the nation in scoring as a senior, he did so without the benefit of a three-point
line because that rule had not yet been implemented in basketball. He scored a then-school record 54 points against Georgia
on December 21, 1956 (John Roche would later score 56 in 1971) and owns four of the top six single game scoring outputs in USC history. His career average of 28.0 ppg is the highest in school history, and his career rebound average of over 12 per game is the second highest.
Wallace was selected by the Boston Celtics
in the 1957 NBA Draft
in the fifth round (40th pick overall) but never played professionally. He would later become the first men's basketball player in USC history to have his jersey number retired. Wallace died of heart failure in Columbia, South Carolina
on August 17, 2006 at the age of 72.
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n basketball player for the South Carolina Gamecocks
South Carolina Gamecocks men's basketball
The South Carolina Gamecocks men's basketball team represents the University of South Carolina and competes in the Southeastern Conference. The program attained national prominence under hall of fame coach Frank McGuire, posting a 205-65 record and three NCAA Sweet 16 appearances from 1967-1976...
in 1955–56 and 1956–57
1956–57 NCAA University Division men's basketball season
-Season headlines:* This was the first year where NCAA basketball was split into two levels of play – the University and College divisions.-Major rule changes:Beginning in 1956–57, the following rules changes were implemented:...
. As a senior
Senior (education)
Senior is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the 4th year of study .-High school:...
in 1957, Wallace led the National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA) scoring at 31.3 points per game, which edged out future Naismith Basketball Hall of Famers Elgin Baylor
Elgin Baylor
Elgin Gay Baylor is a retired Hall of Fame American basketball player and former NBA general manager who played 13 seasons as a forward for the NBA's Minneapolis Lakers/Los Angeles Lakers....
(29.7) and Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt Chamberlain
Wilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain was an American professional NBA basketball player for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers; he also played for the Harlem Globetrotters prior to playing in the NBA...
(29.6) for the scoring title. Prior to attending the University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
, Wallace spent two years at Pikeville Junior College in his home state of Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
. Born in Mare Creek
Stanville, Kentucky
Stanville is a census-designated place in Floyd County, Kentucky, United States....
(now called Stanville) and raised in Betsy Layne
Betsy Layne, Kentucky
Betsy Layne is a census-designated place in Floyd County, Kentucky, United States. It was established in 1875 along the Betsy Layne Branch of the Levisa Fork. The post office opened on May 1, 1908, with Clayton L. Hitchins as postmaster. Its ZIP code is 41605...
in Floyd County
Floyd County, Kentucky
Floyd County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1800. As of 2000, the population was 42,441. Its county seat is Prestonsburg. The county is named for Colonel John Floyd .-History:...
, Wallace attended Betsy Layne High School from 1949 to 1953.
In Wallace's junior
Junior (education)
"Junior" is a term used in the United States to describe a student in their 3rd year of study . A Junior is considered an upperclassman...
season of college, his first with the Gamecocks, he averaged 23.9 points per game (ppg). When he then led the nation in scoring as a senior, he did so without the benefit of a three-point
Three-point field goal
A three-point field goal is a field goal in a basketball game, made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc radiating from the basket...
line because that rule had not yet been implemented in basketball. He scored a then-school record 54 points against Georgia
Georgia Bulldogs men's basketball
The Georgia Bulldogs basketball program is the men's college basketball team representing the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. Established in 1891, the team has competed in the Southeastern Conference since its inception in 1932...
on December 21, 1956 (John Roche would later score 56 in 1971) and owns four of the top six single game scoring outputs in USC history. His career average of 28.0 ppg is the highest in school history, and his career rebound average of over 12 per game is the second highest.
Wallace was selected by the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
in the 1957 NBA Draft
1957 NBA Draft
The 1957 NBA Draft was the 11th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on April 17, 1957 before the 1957–58 season. In this draft, eight NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players...
in the fifth round (40th pick overall) but never played professionally. He would later become the first men's basketball player in USC history to have his jersey number retired. Wallace died of heart failure in Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
on August 17, 2006 at the age of 72.