The history of the NBA is littered with legends, their accolades proudly enshrined in the league’s records and narratives. But every so often, a player emerges with a story that doesn’t fit the neatly packaged tale the league wants to tell. Spencer Haywood, an undeniable force in basketball history, has recently made waves with a cryptic message suggesting that the NBA has actively buried his legacy.

For many basketball fans, Haywood’s name may not instantly come to mind when thinking about the greatest players in history. The NBA has long favored certain narratives. Haywood’s career was nothing short of groundbreaking, and his impact on the game extended far beyond just statistics. His achievements not only set records but also altered the very structure of professional basketball, paving the way for countless future stars. 

Spencer Haywood took to Instagram to voice his frustration. He posted a story in which he shared a clip showcasing his highlights. He captioned the post, “THIS WAS MY LAST SEASON IN THE @nba @thenbpa When you hide my history you also hide what kind of player I was 🏀🏀💯💯🏀♥️♥️”.

Then he posted another story, with a picture of himself holding the MVP trophy. He captioned the story, “LEAGUE MVP-ROOKIE OF YEAR-MVP OF THE ALLSTAR GAME AT AGE 20 YEARS OLD. I’M THE ONLY BASKETBALL PLAYER EVER WIN ALL THREE IN ONE SEASON. HISTORY 🏀,” highlighting his wondrous season. Spencer then posted another story, which contained a clip of players such as LeBron and professors recounting how important Spencer Haywood is to basketball history and directly calling out the NBA and the NBPA (players association).

The idea that a league as globally recognized and prestigious  as the NBA would intentionally suppress the accomplishments of one of its greatest pioneers may sound far-fetched, but Haywood’s updates provides plenty of reason to believe it – especially with him having achieved so much and literally paving the path for future stars to shine. Let us take a look at his most illustrious achievements and his groundbreaking lawsuit.

The fight against the ‘Four-Year Rule’ and a legacy the NBA wants to forget

Haywood’s impact on basketball history goes beyond his incredible 1969–70 campaign. His battle against the NBA’s contentious “four-year rule” permanently altered the sport’s environment. According to that mandate, players were essentially forced prematurely into college programs or lower-paying professional possibilities overseas at the time, since they had to be four years out of high school to join the league. Determined to change the existing quo, Haywood won the right for underclassmen to enter the league early by bringing his case to the Supreme Court, in the Haywood v. National Basketball Association case.

Future generations of basketball stars were made possible by this historic ruling, which allowed players like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, and Moses Malone to enter the professional ranks without attending college. The NBA would be quite different now if Haywood hadn’t gone to court. Yet, despite his role as a trailblazer, his impact remains underappreciated, often omitted from the league’s historical highlights. 

Haywood’s name is hardly ever included with the NBA’s most renowned pioneers, whether on purpose or due to selective narrative. He should become well-known due to his achievements, which include changing the league’s structure and earning MVP, Rookie of the Year, and All-Star Game MVP in a single season. However, the NBA’s unwillingness to accept the ABA’s heritage and recognize Haywood’s player rights advocacy points to a conscious attempt to hide his achievements. 

There is no denying that his 1969–70 season is still regarded as one of the most outstanding individual seasons in the history of professional basketball. But clearly, Spencer Haywood is resolved to tell that narrative himself if the league refuses to.