Biography recalls Mikkelsen's days with the Minneapolis Lakers

Mikkelsen signs books at Hamline University
Vern Mikkelsen signed copies of his biography at Hamline University, Oct. 6, 2006.
Amanda Dutcher/Hamline University

A new book by sportswriter John Egan tells the story of Basketball Hall of Famer Vern Mikkelsen. Mikkelsen played alongside George Mikan and Jim Pollard on the Minneapolis Lakers when they won a series of NBA championships in the late 1940s and early '50s.

Minneapolis Lakers forward Vern Mikkelsen
Vern Mikkelsen helped lead the Minneapolis Lakers to four NBA championships in the 1950s.
Mikkelsen family collection

Mikkelsen was introduced to the game when his family moved to Askov, Minnesota, where his father, a Danish immigrant, was hired as a Lutheran minister. Mikkelsen says the man who recruited him to play at Hamline University ended up in Askov by accident. He talked with MPR's Cathy Wurzer.

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