Inductees

Born: November 17, 1960

Steve Stipanovich was a consensus high school All-American at DeSmet High School in St. Louis. He led DeSmet to two state championships during his junior and senior years, along with helping them compile a 60 game winning streak. When Stipanovich arrived at the University of Missouri in 1979, he did not realize he was about to revolutionize the Big Eight Conference. As the seven footer led the Tigers to four consecutive Big Eight championships, rival coaches in the league began recruiting big men to counter him. He left Mizzou in 1983 as the school’s leading career scorer with 1,836 points, top rebounder with 984 and top shot blocker with 149.

Stipanovich was the second player chosen in the 1983 draft by the Indiana Pacers. He averaged 12 points and 6.9 rebounds en route to making the NBA All-Star Rookie Team. He retired in 1989 after six years in the NBA.