Joe Fulks, often eclipsed by later legends, was the first player to make the one‑hand jump shot a staple of the game. His career arc — from a modest two‑year stint at Murray State to starring for the Philadelphia Warriors — captures a pivotal era when basketball was still finding its identity.
Early Life and College Triumphs
At Murray State University in western Kentucky, Fulks averaged 13.2 points per game over a 39‑9 stretch that included two All‑Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selections and All‑America honors at the 1943 NAIA Tournament. Those performances caught the eye of professional scouts and set the stage for his wartime service.
War Service and Transition
In 1943 Fulks left college to enlist in the United States Marine Corps, where he later served in the Fleet Marine Force at Pearl Harbor. The disciplined environment of military play honed his shooting mechanics, a development that would later be credited to his signature jump shot.
Professional Breakthrough with the Philadelphia Warriors
Eddie Gottlieb, owner of the Philadelphia Warriors, offered Fulks $5,000 to join the team, but the Kentucky native demanded $8,000 and eventually secured the higher salary. In his rookie season he erupted for 25 points in his first game and went on to average 23.2 points per game, topping the league by more than six points.
A Record‑Breaking Performance
On February 10, 1949, Fulks exploded for 63 points against the Indianapolis Jets, establishing a professional scoring record that stood for a decade. That outburst, coupled with a 26‑point average in the 1948‑49 season, underscored his ability to dominate games with a shot that seemed ahead of its time.
Legacy and Hall of Fame
After retiring, Fulks worked as a foreman at GAF Corp. in Calvert City before transitioning to a scouting role for the Philadelphia 76ers, where he covered Kentucky and Tennessee. His contributions were recognized with a place on the league’s Silver Anniversary Team in 1971 and, posthumously, induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1977. Murray State later retired his No. 26 jersey, cementing his status as a foundational figure in the sport.