Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
The Wizards were founded in 1961 when they were the Chicago Packers, transitioning into the Chicago Zephyrs, Baltimore Bullets and Chicago Bullets over the next decade before becoming the Washington Bullets in 1974. They were the Bullets until 1997 and then became the Wizards we love today. Their glory days were in the 70s, winning four Conference Championships and their one and only title during that span (1978). It’s been a bit of a drought since then, but the all-time leader in blocks was a key cog during that run in the ’70s!
There weren’t many players as dominant as Hayes when he was controlling the paint during the 1970s. The Big E was the top pick in the 1968 NBA Draft by the San Diego Rockets, leading the league with 28.4 points and 17.1 rebounds in one of the best rookie campaigns of all time. His numbers in Washington were equally as ridiculous, averaging 21.3 points, 12.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.4 blocks in his nine seasons with that organization. He also made an All-Star appearance in eight of his nine seasons playing for this franchise, receiving MVP votes in five of those! Hayes made 12 All-Star appearances in total and won a title with Washington in 1978.
Jones had a long road ahead of him when he was the 165th pick in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns. The good news is that Washington believed in him, signing with the Bullets in 1985 after playing for five different teams. That’s when he became one of the best rim protectors in the NBA, averaging 2.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in his nine seasons with the Bullets. He ranks 58th all-time with 1.6 blocks per game and won a title with the Houston Rockets in 1995.
Bol is famous for being one of the tallest players in NBA history, standing at 7’7”. That potential made him the 31st pick in the 1985 NBA Draft, spending his first three seasons in Washington. Bol was a presence the day he showed up, leading the league with 5.0 blocks per game in his rookie season. He also finished Top 8 in Defensive Player of the Year voting in all three seasons with Washington, averaging 3.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.8 blocks per game.
Haywood is more famous for being a TV personality than he was as a player, but he was one of the best rim protectors this franchise has ever had. After a dominant career at UNC, Haywood was selected 20th overall in the 2001 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Washington traded for Haywood on draft day, and the big man spent his first seven seasons with the Wizards. He averaged 7.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks throughout his Washington career. Haywood also won a title with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011.
Ricky was taken 35th overall in the 1980 NBA Draft by the Washington Bullets. Mahorn spent his first five seasons in Washington, averaging 9.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 blocks in the best stretch of his career. He also played for the New Jersey Nets, Detroit Pistons and Philadelphia 76ers over his final 13 seasons, closing out an 18-year career in 1999. He won a title with the Detroit Pistons in 1989 and ranks 73rd all-time with 1,117 games played.
Pervis Ellison (492 Blocks)
Javale McGee (470 Blocks)
Marcin Gortat (449 Blocks)