Len Paul (1983) - Hall of Fame - University of Akron Athletics

Len Paul

Induction:
1983

1967-73
Basketball
On the basketball court, the 6-4 Len Paul had few peers. In a career of numerous personal achievements, the talented southpaw marked up no less than 13 school records and tied another between 1969-73. He’s the only UA player ever to score over 2,000 (2028) points and grab over 1,000 (1021) rebounds in a career. During the 1970-73 seasons, Paul led the Zips cagers to 20-6 and 22-5 records as well as invitations to NCAA post-season tournaments. In 1970-71, Akron advanced the Mideast Regional before being eliminated, but the following season, thanks primarily to Paul’s 564 points, the Zips finished national runner-up to Roanoke College. In 1972-73. UA was eliminated in the quarterfinals. Only one major UA individual record escaped Paul—most points in a single game (46). Yet to Paul’s credit, UA’s style under head coach Wyatt Webb did not lend itself to individual scoring outbursts. The Zips employed a disciplined pattern offense with emphasis on a balanced team effort. Still, Paul managed career highs of 37 points versus Otterbein and 23 rebounds versus Youngstown State—both performances in his freshman season. Among the Cleveland John Hay product’s most noteworthy records were most points as a freshman (454), sophomore (518), junior (564) and senior (492). He was the first UA cager to score over 500 points in two separate seasons and his 2,028 points stood as UA’s top career high until Joe Jakubick shattered it. Paul’s talents did not go unnoticed on the national scene. He was named All-Mideast Regional three straight years, voted to the United States Basketball Writers All-District Team three years and earned an honored spot on the NCAA National Finals All-Tournament Team as well as first-team Associated Press All-American in 1971-72.