Jan 12, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins championship banners prior to a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Pauley Pavilion. UCLA defeated Arizona State 87-72. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Fielding-USA TODAY Sports
1. Walt Hazzard 1961-64
Right around the time that Hazzard joined the Bruins, things were looking up for UCLA. Under legendary coach John Wooden, UCLA Basketball had been good, but they were not yet elite. That all changed in the early 60s.
In Hazzard’s first season, the Bruins got to their first ever Final Four. Though the Bruins lost in the Championship Game, things were looking up.
1964 is when it all came together. Whilst averaging a career-high 18.6 ppg in his senior year, the year in which he was also named the college basketball player of the year, he led UCLA to a remarkable 30-0 record on their way to their first National Championship.
After UCLA, Hazzard spent nine years in the NBA where he played with five different teams. He then returned to Westwood where he coached UCLA from 1985-88 where he 56-35.
Hazzard had his #42 jersey retired in 1996, though he gave permission to Kevin Love to use it during the 2007-08 season.
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