ROLANDO BLACKMAN
1959 -
Inducted - 1998

Rolando Blackman was considered one of the best all-around basketball players in the Big Eight Conference during his college career at Kansas State (1977-81) and one of the greatest in the school's proud history. He was called the "consummate player" by his college coach Jack Hartman. Known for his unselfish play and defensive intensity, Blackman was a three-time All-Big Eight selection. He was named the Big Eight Player of the Year as a junior in 1980, was selected to the U.S. Olympic team in 1980 and accorded All-American honors in 1981. Blackman made what many believe is the most famous basket in Kansas State history, a 17-footer from the baseline with two seconds left against No.2-ranked Oregon State in the 1981 NCAA Tournament. The shot, which came in the second round of the tournament, was immortalized in the March 23, 1981, issue of Sports Illustrated. The 6-foot-6 Blackman finished his career as the second-leading scorer in K-State history (1,844 points) behind Mike Evans. He was a first-round draft choice (and ninth overall) by the Dallas Mavericks in 1981 and spent 11 seasons with the Mavericks before being traded to the New York Knicks in 1992. During his career in Dallas, Blackman was a four-time NBA All-Star, scored 16,643 points and set seven team records. Blackman retired from professional basketball in 1995. Named to the AP All-time All-Big Eight first team in 1996. He is a member of the Kansas State University Athletic Hall of Fame. Born February 26, 1959, Panama. Graduated William Grady H.S. (Brooklyn, NY), 1977; Kansas State University, 1996.