The 10 Most Successful UW Huskies Basketball Players in the NBA/ABA

By Ben Renner | Jan 23, 2017

Oct 21, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Nate Robinson (2) reacts as he made a three pointer to tie the game during the second half against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 10-107 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

7 of 12

Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports. Check out Jack Nichols here. You can even buy his basketball card! /

5. Jack Nichols

Jack Nichols was a 6’7” center who played for both the UW Huskies and the USC Trojans before being drafted 12^th overall in 1948 by the Washington Capitals. He was an All-Conference player for five seasons in college, a record that still stands. He led the Huskies to the NCAA Tournament in 1948. Nichols then played for the Capitals and the Tri-Cities Blackhawks before serving in the US military from 1951 to 1952.

An Everett native, Nichols won an NBA championship under legendary coach Red Auerbach with the Boston Celtics. It was his second stint playing for Auerbach, who coached him with the Blackhawks. Nichols was a longtime NBA player, but he never stopped preparing for a life after the game. During his final three seasons in the league with the Celtics, he attended Tufts University to earn his dentistry degree. Imagine if NBA players tried to do that now. I can see Gregg Poppovich’s face reddening at the mere thought of it. After Nichols retired, he served as the team dentist for the UW Huskies basketball team and for the Seattle Sonics. He died at age 66 in 1992 in Palm Springs, California. He is a member of the Pac-12 Conference Hall of Fame.

Next: The Husky with the Longest NBA Career

Home/Washington Huskies Basketball