Called “the greatest player I ever coached” by the legendary Phog Allen, Paul Endacott helped start the unparalleled basketball tradition at the University of Kansas. Endacott was a two-time All-American for the Jayhawks and was named the national player of the year in 1923 by the Helms Athletic Foundation.

High School and College Highlights

A native of Lawrence, Endacott learned the game of basketball at the Lawrence YMCA from the inventor of the game, Dr. James Naismith. Endacott was named an all-state guard in 1919 for Lawrence High School. He was known for his tenacious defense and helped lead the Jayhawks to their first undefeated Missouri Valley Conference record, 16-0, in 1923 and played on two Helms Foundation national championship teams. He was a Two-time All-American in basketball at KU.

Professional Career

Following his collegiate career, he spent four years with the AAU Phillips Petroleum Company team, the Phillips 66 Oilers (1924-28) and went on the serve as president of Phillips Petroleum from 1951-67.

Honors

In 1943, Endacott was named to the Helms Foundation’s All-Time All-American second team. . Nearly 30 years after leaving KU, Allen named Endacott to his all-time college basketball team in 1951. In 1969, Endacott received the Sportsmen’s World Award for basketball for “Performances and exemplary personal conduct which have stood the test of time.” He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1972 and the University of Kansas Athletic Hall of Fame in 1977.

Click here to see Paul's Kansas Sports Hall of Fame induction speech