Frank Selvy, the All-America guard at Furman who scored the NCAA Division I record 100 points in a single game and later played nine seasons in the NBA (1954-64), died Tuesday at the age of 91. The cause of death was not available. it was revealed. Selvy's family announced that he died at his home in Simpsonville, South Carolina.
Frank Selvy twice led the NCAA in scoring in back-to-back seasons from 1953-54, averaging 41.7 points as a senior.
“It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Frank Selvy, Furman's all-time greatest athlete, All-American, NBA star, College Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, and one of the greatest scorers in college basketball history,” said Jason Donnelly, Furman's Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics.
“In addition to his accomplishments on the court, Frank's dedication to his family was his greatest achievement. Our thoughts and prayers are with Barbara and the entire Selvy family. We will miss Frank dearly but we will miss him forever – a true Paladin legend. “
Furman All-American Frank Selvy, one of the greatest players in college basketball history, passed away this morning at his home in Simpsonville, SC, surrounded by his family. He lived until he was 91 years old.
Read more about Frank Selvy's legacy here: pic.twitter.com/XXR2ROizBf
– Furman University (@FurmanU) August 13, 2024
Nicknamed “The Corbin Comet,” the 6-foot-3 Selvy was born on November 9, 1932, in Corbin, Kentucky. In his 78-game career at Furman from 1952-54, he averaged 32.5 points per contest. He twice led the NCAA in scoring, averaging 41.7 points as a senior.
“Frank was a mentor and friend who made a tremendous impact on Furman Basketball as a player and as a coach,” said Paladin head coach Bob Richey. “Besides being a great basketball player, Frank was an amazing person. He was one of the best jerseys ever, and he will be greatly missed.”
Selvy scored 100 points for Furman in a 145-95 win over Newberry on Feb. 13, 1954.
On Feb. 13, 1954, Frank Selvy scored 100 points (41 field goals, 18 free throws) in a 145-95 win over Newberry at Textile Hall in Greenville. It should be noted that Jack Taylor of Division III Grinnell College holds the NCAA all-time scoring record at 138.
Even more important is that the game is played well before the introduction of the three-point line. Selvy later estimated that his eight or nine shots that day would count as 3-pointers today.
Selvy scored 40 or more points 22 times in 78 college games. He was named the Southern Conference player of the year in 1952-53 and 1953-54 and was a three-time All-America selection. The Kentucky native was then selected No. 1 overall by the Baltimore Bullets in the 1954 NBA draft.
We are saddened to hear of the passing of 1960 SCAHOF graduate Frank Selvy. 2x SoCon PotY & 1954 All-American twice led the nation in scoring at Furman (1953, 1954) and set the NCAA single-game record for 100 points in a 145-95 win over Newberry on Feb. 13, 1954. He was 91. pic.twitter.com/AvSzwM6BNF
– South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame (@SCAHOF) August 13, 2024
However, he soon moved to the Milwaukee Hawks on November 28, 1954, as the Baltimore franchise folded. Selvy was drafted by Milwaukee in the Baltimore trade.
In Milwaukee's win over the Lakers on Dec. 2 1954, he scored a career-high 42 points on 9-of-24 (37.5%) shooting from the floor and 24-of-26 (92.3%) from the foul line.
Selvy was a two-time NBA All-Star, appearing in 565 regular season games over nine seasons.
During his nine-year NBA career, Frank Selvy was a two-time All-Star and played for five franchises. He spent his final 4½ seasons with the Lakers, moving the franchise from Minneapolis to Los Angeles in 1960.
In 565 NBA regular season games, he averaged 10.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 26.4 minutes per contest. He also shot 39.4% from the field and 72.8% from the free throw line.
Selvy returned to Furman after his professional career and coached the Paladins for four seasons. In fact, he was hired to replace Alley as head coach beginning in the 1966-67 season.
His Furman teams finished 44-59 (.427) overall after four seasons: 9-15, 13-14, 9-17 and 13-13. His brother, Charles Selvy, was the best player in his teams. Selvy was replaced as head coach by Joe Williams in 1970.
In addition, Selvy is a member of seven halls of fame, including the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame (1960), Furman Athletics Hall of Fame (1981), Corbin High School Redhound Hall of Fame (1982), Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame (1994), Hall Southern Conference Hall of Fame (2009), Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame (2021), and National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame (2022).
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Barbara; two children, Valerie S. Miros and Mike Selvy; 11 grandchildren; and seven grandchildren.
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