Skip To Main Content

University of the Pacific

Hall of Fame

John Gianelli

John Gianelli

  • Class
    1972
  • Induction
    1986
  • Sport(s)
    Men's Basketball
John Gianelli spent three years at Pacific as one of the most prolific scorers in program history. 

Gianelli averaged a program-record 20.48 points per game as a Tiger in 81 career games, recording a .523 career field goal percentage. 

He currently ranks in the top five in program history in career points (1,659), rebounds (1,339), field goals made (629) and free throws made (401). Gianelli also holds three of the program's top 10 single-season rebounding averages, set in consecutive years from 1969 to 1972.

He recorded nine 30-point games in his career, with a career-high 34 against San Jose State on January 27, 1971. The Stockton native also grabbed at least 30 rebounds on three occasions.

Gianelli was named a second team AP All-American following the 1971-72 season that saw him average a double double with 21.5 points and 17.9 rebounds per game, and earned two first team all-conference selections and a second team all-conference selection over the course of his illustrious college career. 

He is one of four Tigers to have his jerseys retired in the Alex G. Spanos Center, and was picked up in the second round of the 1972 NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets despite spending the first five of his eight NBA seasons with the New York Knicks. 

Professionally, Gianelli averaged 7.8 points and 5.9 rebounds while shooting 47 percent in 541 career games over eight years. He led the Knicks to the franchise's lone NBA title in 1973 and ranked in the top 15 individually for blocks and blocks per game in the 1974-75 season.
 
Explore HOF Explore Hall of Fame Members