Spencer Haywood is a legendary basketball player who is best known for his time in the NBA. He was born in Silver City, Mississippi in 1949 and began playing basketball at an early age. He was a standout player in high school and college, and was drafted by the Seattle SuperSonics in the first round of the 1970 NBA draft.

Haywood was an immediate success in the NBA, winning the Rookie of the Year award in 1971 and being named an All-Star in 1972. He was also a key member of the gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic basketball team in 1972. He continued to be a dominant force in the NBA, averaging over 20 points and 10 rebounds per game for the majority of his career.

In addition to his success on the court, Haywood was also a pioneer in the NBA. He was the first player to challenge the NBA's rule that players had to be four years removed from high school before entering the draft. His lawsuit against the NBA was successful, paving the way for future players to enter the draft earlier.

Haywood's career ended in 1983 after 13 seasons in the NBA. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015. He is remembered as one of the greatest players of his era, and his legacy lives on in the NBA today.

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