Born in Mark Twain’s hometown of Hannibal, Missouri, it is no wonder Lowell “Cotton” Fitzsimmons had a knack for storytelling. He used that talent to help author one of the NBA’s most prestigious coaching careers.
A few months after the announcement of his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s 2021 class, Cotton’s legacy was properly immortalized Saturday during a ceremony that recognized him as a peer to the game’s outstanding mentors and leaders. Elected by the Contributor Committee, Cotton’s impact as a player, coach, executive, and broadcaster enriched the game of basketball throughout the back half of the 20th century.