Creighton Athletics Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1974
- Class:
- 1964
Paul Silas, a three-time All-American basketball player at Creighton from 1961-64, was part of the 2012 Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame class.
Silas washonored by the MVC as an "Institutional Great," since he never played in the MVC due to Creighton's independent affiliation at the time.
Silas is one of five players in NCAA history to average more than 20 points (20.5) and 20 rebounds (21.6) during his college career, an elite list that also includes Bill Russell, Julius Erving, Kermit Washington and Artis Gilmore.
He owns more rebounds than any player in the last 55 years, remains the only player with multiple games of 36 or more rebounds and is also the only player in NCAA history with 557 rebounds at least three times.
Silas, who played at Creighton under John J. "Red" McManus, is one of four Bluejay players with his jersey (#35) retired. He is the only player in Creighton history with 25 or more rebounds in a single game, something he did an astounding 22 times in 81 games wearing a Bluejay uniform.
After being selected as the 10th overall pick in the 1964 draft, Silas won three titles during his 16-year NBA playing career. He has also won 390 games in 10 years as an NBA coach with the Clippers, Hornets, Cavaliers and Bobcats.
