UCLA Alumnus Willie Naulls Passes Away
November 25, 2018 | Men's Basketball
Willie Naulls, who starred for the UCLA basketball program from 1954-56, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Nov. 22, at his home in Laguna Niguel, Calif.
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Naulls, who was 84 years old, was a three-year varsity basketball winner for UCLA and guided the Bruins to the Pacific Coast Conference title as a senior in 1956. He established UCLA's single-game rebounding record, totaling 28 rebounds in a game against Arizona State on Jan. 28, 1956. His record still stands today.
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Through three varsity seasons at UCLA, Naulls averaged 15.5 points and 11.4 rebounds per game. He secured All-America honors after his senior season.
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When he had finished playing at UCLA, Naulls had established the program's all-time scoring record (1,225 points in three seasons). He currently ranks No. 40 on the Bruins' all-time scoring list and No. 7 on the all-time rebounds list. Naulls led the Bruins in rebounding in each of his three seasons on the varsity team.
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Naulls was an all-conference selection (Pacific Coast Conference) in 1955 and 1956.
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After a remarkable collegiate career, Naulls was selected in the second round of the NBA Draft by the St. Louis Hawks. He enjoyed a 10-year NBA career, competing for St. Louis, the New York Knicks, the San Francisco Warriors and the Boston Celtics. He became the first former UCLA player to lead his team to the NBA Finals. Boston advanced to the finals and won the NBA Championship in 1964, 1965 and 1966 (Naulls' final three NBA seasons).
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Naulls, along with Bill Russell, K.C. Jones, Sam Jones and Tom Sanders, became the first all-African-American starting team in the history of integrated professional sports in Dec. 1964, when Naulls replaced injured Tom Heinsohn in the starting lineup.
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Choosing to retire from the NBA after leading Boston to the 1966 NBA Championship, Naulls returned to Los Angeles and completed his undergraduate degree at UCLA. Naulls was inducted into the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986.
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In 1981, the NCAA honored Naulls with the Silver Anniversary Award, bestowed upon five former student-athletes on the 25th anniversary of the end of their collegiate eligibility. While the award factors in an individual's athletic accomplishments, the Silver Anniversary Award also uses professional accomplishments and philanthropic work as criteria.
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After his basketball career had ended, Naulls worked with youth for over five decades. He served young people growing up in communities similar to those of his childhood in San Pedro and Watts and founded a non-profit organization. The foundation raised funds to provide week-long free summer basketball camps on college campuses for junior high and high school boys, recommended by coaches in southern California.
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Naulls enrolled in Fuller Theological Seminary in 1990, earning a master's degree in theology in 1993. During that time, he worked as a college counselor for Brentwood Presbyterian Church. Later, he served as associate pastor for Antelope Valley Christian Center. In 1993, he incorporated Willie Naulls Ministries.
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Naulls is survived by his wife of 40 years, Anne Van de Water Naulls; his children Lisa, Shannon, Joanh and Malaika; and his grandchildren Celia, Michael, Dean, Jonathan, Elle and Jojo.
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