Earl Monroe

You might not place the name Vernon Monroe, but no basketball fan in the 1970s will ever forget “Earl the Pearl.” He averaged a staggering 41.5 points per game while winning a Division II national title in his senior season at Winston-Salem State. He was drafted by the Baltimore Bullets, and turned in 24.3 points per game while winning the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award in 1968. Monroe was traded to the New York Knicks in 1971, where he teamed with Walt Frazier to form one of the most electrifying backcourts in NBA history. “Clyde” and “The Pearl” helped deliver the Knicks’ the NBA championship in 1973. Monroe played on four All-Star teams and joined the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame in 1990.