BERT H. "B.H." BORN
1932 - 2013
Inducted - 1999

The first player from a non-championship team to be named Most Valuable Player in the NCAA basketball championships, B.H. Born led Kansas University to the 1953 NCAA finals where they eventually lost to Indiana, 69-68. A two-time All-Big Seven selection and 1953 All-American, Born led KU in scoring in both his junior and senior seasons and finished with 918 points and 515 rebounds in his 73 varsity games. His career scoring high was 44 points against Colorado in 1953. Born was heavily recruited out of Medicine Lodge High School where he was an all-state player and one of 24 prep players selected to play in the U.S. North-South Game. His 111 points, in the 1950 Kansas High School State Tourney, is still the all-time state tournament record. Born carried his high school excellence on to KU where he helped the Jayhawks win the 1952 national title. Following his college career, the 6'-9" star center joined the Caterpillar Tractor Company team that won three National AAU tournament crowns. He finished his basketball career in 1959 as Caterpillar's all-time leading scorer and rebounder. Born's jersey has been retired by the University of Kansas. Inducted into the Kansas State High School Activities Association Hall of Fame in 1996; Greater Peoria Illinois Sports Hall of Fame. Born June 6, 1932 - Osawatomie, KS; Graduated Medicine Lodge (KS) H.S. - 1950; Kansas University, 1954.