University of Oklahoma Athletics

Lane Inducted Into Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

Lane Inducted Into Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

August 13, 2010 | Men's Basketball

By: Athletics Communications

Aug. 13, 2010

NORMAN, Okla. -- Former University of Oklahoma men's basketball player and head coach Lester Lane was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., Friday evening as a member of the 1960 USA Olympic team.  The squad joined the 1992 USA Basketball "Dream Team" and eight individuals as members of the Enshrinement Class of 2010.

The 12-member 1960 USA team, coached by the legendary Pete Newell, compiled an 8-0 record at the Rome Olympic Games and won its contests by an average margin of 42.4 points.  Lane, the team's starting point guard, averaged 5.9 points per game for a U.S. squad that featured existing hall of famers Oscar Robertson, Jerry Lucas, Jerry West and Walt Bellamy.  USA beat Brazil in the gold medal game 90-63.

As a player at Oklahoma, Lane starred from the 1951-52 through 1954-55 seasons and finished his career as the school's all-time leading scorer (1,180 points).  The two-time All-Big Seven Conference selection earned Helms Foundation All-America honors in 1955 when he averaged 19.6 points per game as a senior.

Lane, from Purcell, Okla., also lettered two years in football at OU as a defensive halfback under head coach Bud Wilkinson and lettered in track and field as a pole vaulter.

Lester Lane Feature From the Aug. 7 Edition of The Oklahoman

In addition to his Olympic experience as a player, Lane served as Mexico's head coach in the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City.  His team finished in fifth place with a 7-2 record.

Lane was named the eighth men's basketball head coach in University of Oklahoma history in April 1973 but died five months later before ever coaching a game.  His 1960 Olympic jersey is on display at Lloyd Noble Center's Legacy Court on the south end of the arena.

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2010 enshrinement ceremony was held at the Springfield Symphony Hall.  Individuals in the class include Jerry Buss, Cynthia Cooper, Bob Hurley, Sr., Karl Malone and Scottie Pippen.  Players who were honored posthumously were Dennis Johnson, Gus Johnson and international star Maciel "Ubiratan" Pereira.

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