Frank Selvy, former NBA player and Furman University All-American athlete, has died, the college’s athletic department announced Aug. 13. He was 91.
“It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Frank Selvy, Furman’s all-time greatest athlete, a consensus All-American, NBA all-star, distinguished member of the College Basketball Hall of Fame, and one of the greatest scorers in the history of college basketball,” said Jason Donnelly, Furman’s vice president of intercollegiate athletics. “More than his accomplishments on the court, Frank’s devotion to his family was his greatest achievement. Our thoughts and prayers are with Barbara and the entire Selvy family. We will miss Frank dearly but will remember him forever — a true Paladin legend.”
Selvy, who lived in Simpsonville at the time of his death, was a native of Corbin, Kentucky, and was nicknamed “The Corbin Comet.” He led the NCAA in scoring twice during his career as a Furman Paladin from 1952 to 1954. He averaged 41.7 points per game his senior season, which included a NCAA Division I record 100-point performance in a 145-95 win over Newberry on Feb. 13, 1954, at Textile Hall in downtown Greenville.
Throughout his 78-game collegiate career, the 6-foot-3 guard averaged 32.5 points per game. He was named Southern Conference Player of the Year for the 1952-53 season and in his senior year. Selvy was also named 1954 United Press Player of the Year and a three-time All-America selection.
In 1954, Selvy was the No. 1 draft pick by the Baltimore Bullets. He averaged 19.4 points per game his rookie year, was a two-time all-star and went on to spend nine years in the NBA, including his final five seasons with the Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers, where he played alongside Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, and Rod Hundley.
Following his time in the NBA, Selvy returned to Furman in 1966, as the Paladins’ mentor for four seasons.
Selvy was a member of seven halls of fame, including the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame, Furman Athletics Hall of Fame, Corbin High School Redhound Hall of Fame, Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame, Southern Conference Hall of Fame, Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame and National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.
To honor Selvy’s accomplishments, Furman retired his No. 28 jersey and named its male athlete of the year award after him.
“Frank was both a mentor and a friend who had an incredible impact on Furman Basketball as a player and as a coach,” said Paladin head coach Bob Richey. “In addition to being a great basketball player, Frank was a phenomenal person. He was one of the best to ever wear the jersey, and he will be deeply missed.”
Selvy is survived by his wife of 65 years, Barbara, and two children, Valerie S. Miros (Mike) and Mike Selvy (Katherine); his brother, Marvin Selvy (Patty); 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
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