Rockets legends and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame members Elvin Hayes and Calvin Murphy are among the latest additions to the newly created Houston Sports Hall of Fame.
Located in downtown Houston at GreenStreet, the program honors legendary sports figures from or associated with the Houston area that have made a significant impact in their sport. Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, and Rudy Tomjanovich were among the initial classes, and now Hayes and Murphy will join them in the Class of 2023.
As part of this week’s official announcement, here’s how Houston Sports Hall of Fame officials characterized their careers:
Calvin Murphy is a Rockets legend and a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer. Murphy was drafted by the San Diego Rockets in 1970, now the Houston Rockets, and quickly began making history and breaking records. Murphy was one of the best free-throw shooters ever, setting NBA records for most consecutive free throws made and for the highest free throw percentage in a single season (1980-81). Post-NBA, Murphy continued to work for the Rockets in multiple ways and had his No. 23 jersey retired in 1984.
Elvin Hayes began playing at the University of Houston in 1965. His most memorable moment came on January 20, 1968, when the University of Houston went up against UCLA at the Houston Astrodome. During the game, Hayes scored 39 points and had 15 rebounds for Houston, ending UCLA’s 47-game win streak in what was called “The Game of the Century.” From that moment, Hayes continued to play in the NBA for over 15 years. He is a 12-time NBA All-Star, was named to both the 50th and 75th anniversary teams and is a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Hayes will have his No. 44 jersey retired by the Rockets on Nov. 18, 2022.
“When I found out it was for me, I got emotional,” Murphy told Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston. “It doesn’t get any better than this. To see that people still revere me… of course (it) feeds my ego tremendously. It makes me feel as though everything I’ve done in Houston over the last 53 years was not in vain.”
Hayes and Murphy will formally be inducted and enshrined at the sixth annual Houston Sports Awards on January 25, 2023.
Harris County-Houston Sports Authority announced former Rockets great @CalvinMurphyHOF,member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball HOF,will be inducted into Houston Sports Hall of Fame,2023 class: “When I found out it was for me I got emotional-It doesn’t get any better than this” pic.twitter.com/OJNdvviegJ
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) September 29, 2022
Former Rockets great @CalvinMurphyHOF on being named to the Houston Sports Hall of Fame: “To see that people still revere me, of course feeds my ego tremendously, it does, and it makes me feel as though everything I’ve done in Houston over the last 53 years was not in vain.” pic.twitter.com/hnG4Uv19Vw
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) September 29, 2022
