Sport: Wilt the Stilt

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The demand to see those big fingers in operation is so great that Phog has had to rearrange his schedule to put the freshmen on the program before each home varsity game. "Everywhere I go," says Phog, "they ask me about Wilt the Stilt. I've seen them all: Joe Lapchick,* Clyde Lovelette, Hank Luisetti—all the top men, and this kid is the best I've ever seen. For 20 years I've used a twelve-foot basket in my gym; as far as I know, I'm the only coach who does it. Wilt can touch the rim of that basket on a jump. He can jump 24 inches off the floor. I've never seen a tall man in my life who could equal it. This kid actually slams the ball down into the basket. He uses two hands and just whams it right down in."

Ever since basketball was first invaded by big men, Phog Allen has campaigned loudly to have that twelve-foot basket of his made regulation; the regulation height is now ten feet. The big shooters, he has argued often, are killing the passing, the dribbling, the teamwork that makes basketball exciting. But now Phog has Wilt the Stilt. Says he with a quiet smile: "Twelve-foot baskets? What are you talking about? I've developed amnesia."