Louisiana Tech Athletic Communications
The Small College Basketball and the National Hall of Fame committee announced that former Minden High and Louisiana Tech great Jackie Moreland will be inducted into the SCB Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2023.
First landing in the national spotlight while establishing a high school scoring record at Minden, the 6-foot-7 Moreland was said to have been one of the most sought after basketball recruits in the nation.
The local product ended up staying home, coming to LA Tech where he played three seasons (1957-60) for Cecil Crowley the Bulldogs.
“The Small College Basketball Hall of Fame of 2023 is just outstanding! I hope that people take the time to read and research the accomplishments of each member of this class,” said Found of Small College Basketball, John McCarthy. “Collectively and individually, this Hall of Fame Class is historically significant to the great game of basketball at the collegiate level.”
Moreland was LA Tech’s first All-American following his first season. He ended up being an All-American all three years with the Bulldogs as well as a three-time All-Gulf States Conference selection and the 1960 GSC Player of the Year.
He currently ranks 17th on the all-time career scoring list, having totaled 1,491 points. His career scoring average of 21.3 points per game still ranks second in program history while his career rebounding average of 16.0 boards per game is likely to never be broken.
Moreland helped the Bulldogs to a 21-4 record and a Gulf States Conference championship in 1959 while averaging 21.1 points and a school-record 18.7 rebounds per game.
He went on to be the fourth overall pick in the 1960 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons. He played for the Pistons for seven years and later played three more years for New Orleans of the ABA.
Moreland, who passed away on Dec. 21, 1971 at the age of 33, was enshrined into the LA Tech Athletics Hall of Fame in 1984. He was part of the Class of 1984, the first ever class inducted.
The Small College Basketball Hall of Fame began in 2016, a creation that unites the college basketball from the NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA, USCAA, and NCCAA levels. This year’s Nationally Hall of Fame Class marks the seventh class inducted into the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will take place on Friday, Nov. 3 inside the Polk Theatre in Lakeland, Florida.
2023 National Hall of Fame Class
Frankie Allen (Roanoke College)
Gerald Cunningham (Kentucky State)
Bayard Forrest (Grand Canyon)
Greg Grant (Trenton State)
John Grochowalski (Assumption)
Charles Hardnett (Grambling State)
Henry Lee Logan (Western Carolina)
Jackie Moreland (Louisiana Tech)
R.C. Owens (College of Idaho)
Glenn Roberts (Emory & Henry)
Joe Hutton (Hamline)
Ed Steitz