GEORGETOWN ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

The 1950's were a golden age for rebounders, and Joe Missett was the gold standard for the Georgetown teams of his era. While undersized compared to many centers of the decade, Missett's tenacious defense and rebounding pursuits were invaluable to Georgetown teams that often labored to compete against taller squads.

One of four freshmen elevated to the varsity in 1954-55 following a 17-3 season for the freshman squad, Missett quickly took up residence in the pivot and opened the door for forwards Warren Buehler and Matt White to pick up their scoring as well. Missett played in 20 of 25 games that season, scoring a a season high 22 against NYU and finishing second to Buehler in scoring. His 9.8 rebounding figure would be notable in today's basketball world, but paled against the national average of rebound leader Charlie Slack of Marshall, who averaged an NCAA record 25.6 boards a game.

In 1956, Warren Buehler was out of the lineup and Missett picked up the slack, providing one of the great single season efforts in school history. He scored in double figures in all but one game that season, averaging 18.4 points and 13.5 rebounds a game. Game by game rebound statistics were not kept in strict detail, but there can be little doubt that Missett's impact upon the Hoyas (in their only winning season between 1953 and 1961) was substantial. While Missett's 325 rebounds was still not a national statistic (George Washington's Joe Holup collected over 600 that season), the average has been matched by only one other rebounder in Georgetown history, that of Merlin Wilson.

Missett's rebounding numbers declined somewhat in 1956-57 but not his scoring. He scored in double figures in each of the 20 games he saw action, collecting a second scoring title at 15.9 points per game and a then-unprecedented third straight rebounding title. Only four players since have led the team in rebounds for three consecutive seasons, all taller than the 6-6 Missett.

The lessons learned on the hardwood were put to use on the floors of Wall Street, as Missett enjoyed a long career in the securities industry, serving the managing director of CIBC World Markets in New York.