February 13, 1954, Furman’s 6’3′ guard nailed a 40-foot jumper with two seconds on the clock making his 100th point that game. 70 years later, that D1 record remains unbroken. It will be part of the legacy through which Frank Selvy lives on. The college basketball and NBA legend passed away on August 13, 2024. He was 91. Most fans today didn’t know him, others might remember him for missing a shot that cost the Lakers a championship. But what is undeniable is that Selvy paved the path when basketball was not the sure track to stardom it became two decades after he retired. For that, NBA fans are giving him immense respect.

Selvy played in the NBA from 1954 to 1964, including the early incarnation of the Lakers when they were in Minneapolis. He’d return to Furman as part of the coaching staff till 1970. He lived a quiet life in Simpsonville with his wife of 65 years, Barbara, their two children, Valerie Miros and Mike Selvy, 11 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. He passed away in his home there. His family and the Furman athletics department announced his passing. The cause of death was not revealed.

There’s a lot more to Selvy than his 100-point game. But to think it would be a different story if he got his way. The Kentucky native dreamed of playing D1 ball at Kentucky, one of the top programs in the South then. Then Wildcats coach, Adolph Rupp, didn’t think the scrawny shorter Frank was worth a scholarship.

So the Corbin Comet ended up at Furman, grew three inches, put on 30 lbs of muscle, and became a dominant scorer instantly. He had multiple high-scoring games. He led the NCAA in scoring, averaging 41.7 points, and has had 22 40+ point games in his college career. It’s made him one of the unreachables with Pete Maravich who also holds multiple unbroken scoring records in the NCAA. And both accomplished decades before 3-point shooting was a thing.

He made 100 points as a senior, but it was not intentional. Back in 2012, Selvy even said it wasn’t that big a deal. His personal proudest moment was two years before that feat when he led the Paladins to a win over the heavily favored Duke. Even as much as he downplayed that historic moment, it set the tone for decades of NCAA basketball and his own career. Because he’d be one of those names that opened a path.

Fans filled with admiration for NBA legend

The news of Selvy’s passing was immediately met with heartfelt messages like, “Rip the goat,” on social media. Those who know wrote, “He used to carry my fantasy team… rest up.” Understandable when you know that he was the first overall draft pick in 1954 after his record-making game. Others reminded, “Respect to the ones who paved the way. Rest in peace.” 

Yet some had to admit they weren’t aware of Selvy until he was gone. A few brought up that he played alongside Jerry West and Elgin Baylor. But that’s a bit of a sore subject. The Lakers were in the 1962 NBA Finals, but Selvy was not the intimidating scorer after his military service. In Game 7, with seconds left on the clock, the Lakers had a shot to win the title. But Selvy missed that clutch attempt and the Celtics ‘ Bill Russell got the rebound, scored and put Boston at 110-107 to win the 1962 finals.

It doesn’t take away from the respect and grief they feel as one person put it, “Idk him but i gotta give my condolences since i love sports & appreciate the ones who paved the way for sports so rip to him.”

Today we might be aware of Pete Maravich’s D1 records more as one even confessed, “idk who is, but im sure that was a great player and was one of the ones that started all, rip.” But Frank Selvy walked so Pistol Pete could run.

Selvy scored 1.209 points as a senior, becoming the first D1 player to exceed the 1,000 point mark. His record was the one to beat, which would create a rare class of 70+ scores in college basketball across all divisions. Maravich would later beat Selvy’s single season scoring record averaging 43.8 PPG. Whether Selvy holds his college records in high regard or not, history is witness his greatness can’t be replicated.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.