Lincoln University of Missouri Athletics

One of the most prolific scorers in Blue Tiger history, Arvesta Kelly scored 1,853 points and averaged 21.2 points per game from 1963-67. On Feb. 27, 1967, Kelly scored 53 points in a contest. That single game mark, as well as his career point total, would remain Lincoln records until Harold Robertson's legendary four-year career. Kelly shot better than 50% from the floor in three of his four years and grabbed 440 career rebounds despite playing as a guard. In 1967 he was named an Associated Press All-American honorable mention. Kelly was later drafted by the St. Louis Hawks of the National Basketball Association and by the Pittsburgh Pipers of the American Basketball Association, making him the only LU player ever to be drafted by both professional leagues. In 1968, he won an ABA championship with the Pipers and, in 1972, won an ABA title with the Indiana Pacers. In addition to his stellar basketball career, during which Lincoln amassed 62 wins, Kelly was also a standout on the LU track & field team. He competed in every event at some point and finished third in the decathlon at the Kansas Relays in both 1965 and 1966. In 1968, he was extended an invitation to try out for the United States Olympic Track & Field team.