Hall of Fame

Wayne Brabender

  • Class
    1967
  • Induction
    2000
  • Sport(s)

University of Minnesota-Morris
Basketball/Baseball
1965-67

Wayne Brabender's name is synonymous with basketball success both in the Upper Midwest and overseas in Spain. A Minnesota-Morris basketball star from 1965-67, Brabender was named the Cougar's Most Valuable Player in the 1966-67 season in addition to garnering NIC all-conference team honors that same season. He was also selected as a NAIA All-American in 1967. Brabender still holds school records for career scoring average (23.6 points per game) and single season scoring average (24.3 points per game). In 1967, Brabender was drafted by the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers. He went on to play 16 years professionally in Spain with Real Madrid. A six-time European all-star, he was named MVP in Spain six times and, in 1973, he was chosen as European MVP. Brabender also had the honor of playing basketball for the U.S. in the 1972 and 1980 Olympics and coaching in the 1988 Games.