Inductees

Forrest (Fordy) Hamilton was one of many key figures in the memorable story of one of the greatest eras in the history of Missouri State basketball, the back-to-back NAIA national championship squads of 1952 and 1953. Hamilton came to MSU as a transfer from the University of Missouri and the St. Clair native was a standout on both title teams. The .591 field goal percentage he recorded in 1952 when he connected on 149 of 252 attempts was the best in the nation in NAIA circles that season and 30 years later remains the best single season mark ever recorded at MSU. Hamilton was the leading scorer on the 1952 team with an 11.2 average as the Bruins rolled up a 27-5 mark and won league and NAIA titles. He scored at a 16.6 clip the following season as the Bears won 24 of 28 games and again repeated their MIAA and national championship seasons. He was a two-time MIAA all-conference pick and a two-time NAIA All-American. He was an alternated for the 1952 Olympic team and was on the 1953 Chuck Taylor All-American squad.