Basketball legend Artis Gilmore is taking his shot at Jacksonville politics. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer is preparing to make his first run for elected office, challenging incumbent City Council President Nick Howlandfor an at-large seat in the March 9, 2027, election.
Gilmore plans to file his candidacy on Oct. 13, 2026, for an at-large Jacksonville City Council seat, setting up a challenge to Howland, who is seeking another four-year term. The decision marks a return to public service for the former Jacksonville University star, who previously worked at City Hall promoting sports, entertainment and physical fitness.
Here are 5 things to know about Gilmore’s City Council bid, more about his early basketball career in Jacksonville,
and the basketball famer's long life achievements.
1. Who is Artis Gilmore?
Born Sept. 21, 1949, Artis Gilmore rose to national prominence in 1970 when he led Jacksonville University’s Dolphins to the NCAA championship game against UCLA. The 7-foot-2 center went on to play 18 seasons in professional basketball, competing in both the American Basketball Association (ABA) and the NBA.
During his career, Gilmore played for teams including the Kentucky Colonels, Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics. His career also included stops with professional clubs in Europe, establishing him as a familiar name across multiple leagues. In 2011, Gilmore was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
2. Why was Artis Gilmore known as “The A-Train”?
Gilmore earned the nickname “The A-Train” for his imposing presence on the court. At 7 feet 2 inches, he was a dominant center whose size, strength and rebounding ability made him a formidable opponent in the paint.
Away from basketball, his quiet and mild-mannered demeanor earned him the nickname “gentle giant.” His combination of physical dominance and a reserved personality became part of his reputation throughout his professional career.
Gilmore also left his mark in the record books. He holds the NBA career record for field-goal percentage at .599 and set an NCAA Division I career rebounding average record of 22.7 rebounds per game.
3. Artis Gilmore led Jacksonville University to the 1970 NCAA championship game
Gilmore became a national basketball figure while playing college basketball at Gardner-Webb and Jacksonville University. His performance with the Dolphins helped propel the team to the 1970 NCAA championship game, where Jacksonville faced the UCLA Bruins.
The matchup put Jacksonville University on the national basketball stage and cemented Gilmore’s place in the program’s history. He finished his college career with an NCAA Division I record of 22.7 rebounds per game, a mark that underscored his dominance on the boards.
His college career remains a defining part of his connection to Jacksonville, where his basketball legacy began to take shape.
4. Which teams did Artis Gilmore play for, and what did he accomplish in the ABA and NBA?
Gilmore’s professional career included major achievements in both the ABA and the NBA.
He began his professional career with the Kentucky Colonels, winning the ABA Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards in 1972. In 1975, he helped lead the Colonels to the ABA championship and earned Finals Most Valuable Player honors.
Gilmore later moved to the NBA, where he played for the Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics. He earned six NBA All-Star selections and 11 All-Star selections across the ABA and NBA combined.
His professional résumé, built over 18 seasons, established him as one of the most recognizable centers of his era.
5. Gilmore previously served the city as Jacksonville’s Sports Ambassador
Gilmore’s move into politics builds on previous public service. More than a decade ago, Gilmore worked under former Mayor Alvin Brown as Jacksonville’s ambassador for sports, entertainment and physical fitness.
In that role, he helped promote the city as a destination for sporting events and served as an advocate for public health and physical fitness.
His previous work at City Hall gives him an existing connection to local government. As he enters the campaign, the focus will be on how he plans to build on that experience and what priorities he would bring to the City Council.
Doris Alvarez is a Breaking and Trending Reporter for The Florida Times-Union. You can get all of Jacksonville’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free Daily Briefing and News Alerts newsletters at jacksonville.com/newsletters
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Who is Artis Gilmore? Meet the NBA legend running for City Council
