Yale

John J. Lee Jr., arguably the greatest basketball player in Yale’s history, carried his record of achievement on the court in the areas of business and philanthropy. Lee had an outstanding career for the Bulldogs in the 1950s, setting the single season scoring record during the 1955-1956 season while averaging 40 minutes on the court each game. As captain of the 1957-1958 team, he led Yale to its first Ivy League title and a place in the NCAA tournament, and was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. 

Drafted by the New York Knicks in 1958, Lee decided instead on graduate study in chemical engineering. He followed his studies with a notable business career, helping to resuscitate several companies, including Tosco, Solomon, Inc., Xra, and Hexcel. He earned wide recognition and honors in fields including finance, engineering, and global oil and gas development. 

A passionate supporter of engineering at Yale and chair of the Yale Engineering Alumni Fund, Lee also served on Yale’s investment committee and managed the final stages of a $1.5 billion capital campaign. He went on to become a steward of the University as a member of the Yale Corporation. IN 1989 he received the Yale Medal, and in 1993, the Distinguished Alumni Award. To ensure that John J. Lee will forever be a part of Yale Basketball, the University named the Payne Whitney Gymnasium amphitheater in his honor in 1997.