John Moiseichik

John S. "Mush" Moiseichik



Born:
June 5, 1920
Cortland, NY

Died:
April 16, 2016
Groton, NY


Career
1935-36 Cortland High School - New York (High School)
1936-37 Cortland High School - New York (High School)
1937-38 Cortland High School - New York (High School)
1940-41 Cortland State (College)
1941-42 Cortland State (College)
1942-43 Cortland State (College)
1944-45 Air Technical Services - Dayton (Military)
1945-46 Cortland State (College)
1946-47 Syracuse Nationals (NBL)

Born to Stephen and Sofia Moiseichik. He was a football and basketball star at Cortland State, with his time there interrupted by military service. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War 2 and returned to Cortland to graduate in 1946. After a brief appearence with the Nationals, he finished his Masters Degree in Physical Education at Syracuse University and went to coach football for 20 years at Courtland High School, retiring in 1967. He was also the school's athletic director.

He was married to Winifred (1921-1981) and had a son, Dyke, and a daughter, Khette. His second wife, Jean, died in 2011.
http://www.ithaca.com/obituaries/jean-adams-moiseichik/article_64ea91ce-bf95-11e0-8c8b-001cc4c03286.html



Source:
Cortland Athletic Hall of Fame
San Bernadino County Sun, Feb 27, 1945
http://wright-beard.com/tribute/details/3245/John-Moiseichik/obituary.html


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/moisejo01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=moisejo01

Ed Moeller

Edward Wolfe Moeller


Born:
January 8, 1919
Delaware, OH

Died:
November 7, 2018
Raleigh, NC


Career
1935-36 Willis High School - Delaware, OH (High School)
1936-37 Willis High School - Delaware, OH (High School)
1937-38 Willis High School - Delaware, OH (High School)
1939-40 Ohio State University (College)
1940-41 Ohio State University (College)
1941-42 Ohio State University (College)
1946-47 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBL)
1946-47 Youngstown Bears (NBL)

Born to Edward E. (1884-1969) and Mabel Wolfe (1886-1981) Moeller, Ed played basketball at Willis High School and later at Ohio State. During his senior year at OSU, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and Moeller enlisted as soon as he graduated. After the war, he played pro basketball with the Tri-Cities Blackhawks and the Youngstown Bears in the NBL. He worked as a salesman and commercial artist before retiring and moving to North Carolina.

Ed married Maxin Crone in 1948 and they had a son, Mark, and a daughter, Maxine (d. 2014).




Source:
Willis High School Yearbook, 1936
Ohio State University Yearbook, 1941
Obituary



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/moelled01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=moelled01

Jack Mills

John Lemoyne Mills


Born:
May 8, 1918
Youngstown, OH


Died:
February 11, 2007
Avon, OH


Career
1933-34 Youngstown South High School - Ohio (High School)
1934-35 Youngstown South High School - Ohio (High School)
1935-36 Youngstown South High School - Ohio (High School)
1937-38 University of Mt. Union (College)
1938-39 University of Mt. Union (College)
1939-40 University of Mt. Union (College)
1941-42 Youngstown Sheet and Tube - Ohio (independent)
1945-46 Lisbon High School - Ohio (High School) - Head coach
1946-47 Youngstown Bears (NBL)
1946-47 Lisbon High School - Ohio (High School) - Head coach
1947-48 Lisbon High School - Ohio (High School) - Head coach
1948-49 Lisbon High School - Ohio (High School) - Head coach
1949-50 Lisbon High School - Ohio (High School) - Head coach
1950-51 Lisbon High School - Ohio (High School) - Head coach
1951-52 Lisbon High School - Ohio (High School) - Head coach
1952-53 Lisbon High School - Ohio (High School) - Head coach
1953-54 Lisbon High School - Ohio (High School) - Head coach
1954-55 Lisbon High School - Ohio (High School) - Head coach
1955-56 Lisbon High School - Ohio (High School) - Head coach
1956-57 Lisbon High School - Ohio (High School) - Head coach
1957-58 Lisbon High School - Ohio (High School) - Head coach
1958-59 Lisbon High School - Ohio (High School) - Head coach
1959-60 Stewart Air Force Base (military) - Head coach
1963-64 United Local High School - Hanoverton, OH (High School) - Head coach
1964-65 United Local High School - Hanoverton, OH (High School) - Head coach
1965-66 United Local High School - Hanoverton, OH (High School) - Head coach
1966-67 United Local High School - Hanoverton, OH (High School) - Head coach
1967-68 United Local High School - Hanoverton, OH (High School) - Head coach
1968-69 United Local High School - Hanoverton, OH (High School) - Head coach
1969-70 United Local High School - Hanoverton, OH (High School) - Head coach


Mills served in the Navy during World War 2. He operated an insurance company in Lisbo, Ohio, for many years.
Mills and his wife Lila had three children: Jack, Marilyn and Janice.

Source:
Salem (Ohio) News - March 2, 1936
Evening Review (Liverpool, Ohio) - June 11, 1963
Obituary
Obituary 2

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/millsja01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=millsja01

George Mikan

George Lawrence Mikan, Jr.


Born:
June 18, 1924
Joliet, IL

Died:
June 1, 2005
Scottsdale, AZ




Career
1939-40 Joliet Catholic High School - Illinois (High School)
1940-41 Joliet Catholic High School - Illinois (High School)
1941-42 Joliet Catholic High School - Illinois (High School)
1942-43 DePaul University (College) Freshmen
1943-44 DePaul University (College)
1944-45 DePaul University (College)
1945-46 DePaul University (College)
1946-47 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1947-48 Chicago Gears (PBLA)
1947-48 Minneapolis Lakers (NBL)
1948-49 Minneapolis Lakers (BAA)
1949-50 Minneapolis Lakers (NBA)
1950-51 Minneapolis Lakers (NBA)
1951-52 Minneapolis Lakers (NBA)
1952-53 Minneapolis Lakers (NBA)
1953-54 Minneapolis Lakers (NBA)
1955-56 Minneapolis Lakers (NBA)
1957-58 Minneapolis Lakers (NBA)  - Head coach

NATIONAL BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME, 1959

One of the first superstars of the sport, Mikan had shattered his knee as a kid that left him bedridden for almost a year. Despite his lankiness (6'10 250 lbs) and near-sightedness, Mikan left Quigley Prep Seminary to finish high school at Joliet Catholic, and moved on to DePaul where he was a two-time player of the year. Mikan became the first player to really prove that people of his height could be coordinated enough to be an effective basketball player. The modern game's goaltending rule exists solely from Mikan, who deflected many an oppnent's shot as it approached the rim.
After college, Mikan joined with the American Gears, and followed them into the PBLA the next season, but once the Gears (and the PBLA) folded early into the league's inaugural season, and Mikan was handed over the Lakers, where he played until his retirement after the 1953-54 season.
After a season hiatus, Mikan returned for one more season before quitting playing for good. He ran for the U.S. Senate in 1956, and after losing a close race, returned to the NBA to coach the Lakers. Minneapolis went 9-30 under Mikan before stepping down. Done with basketball, he went on to practice law and work in real estate until he a decade later, when became the first commissioner of the ABA.
Mikan fought hard for many years to get pensions for retired players. Saddled with kidney problems and diabetes, his illnesses took his leg, and eventually his life. He died in 2005.

He was married to Patricia and had six kids: sons Larry (George Lawrence Mikan III), Terry, Patrick and Michael, and daughters Trisha and Maureen.

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/mikange01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mikange01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mikange01

Red Mihalik

Zigmund John "Red" Mihalik

Born:
September 22, 1916
Ford City, PA

Died:
October 25, 1996
Ford City, PA


Career
Ford City High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1939-40 Ford City Richmond Oilers (Independent)
1943-44 Salt Lake Air Base Wings (Military)
1945-46 Pittsburgh Raiders (Independent)
1946-47 Youngstown Bears (NBL)
1946-47 Pittsburgh Ironmen (BAA)
1946-47 Pittsburgh Pirates (Independent)
1946-47 Altoona Edwards / Pitts / Railroaders (AABL)
1947-48 Altoona (AABL)

NATIONAL BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME, 1986 


Born to Polish immigrants, Mihalik played basketball briefly, but made his mark as an official. He officiated in the NCAA and in the Olympics. Elected to the Hall of Fame in 1986. Red died of cancer in 1996. He was also a veteran of World War 2.


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/mihalzi01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mihalre01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mihalre01

Tom Meyer

Henry Thomas "Tom" Meyer


Born:
November 6, 1922
Highland Park, MI

Died:
March 12, 2019
Vero Beach, FL


Career
1939-40 Fordson High School - Dearborn, MI (High School)
1940-41 Fordson High School - Dearborn, MI (High School)
1946-47 Detroit Gems (NBL)
1947-48 St. Joseph Outlaws (PBLA)
1947-48 Detroit Vagabonds (Independent)

Some places say his name is spelled "Meyer" but Fordson yearbooks and some newspapers have it "Meyers."

Updated 3/26/19

Positively identified!!

A graduate of Fordson, Meyer served in the Coast Guard during World War 2, and after the war played pro and semi-pro basketball a few years, including a season with the Detroit Gems in the NBL. He would go on to be a police officer in Dearborn, Michigan, and later was that city's Civil Defense Director. In 1971, he moved to Florida in 1971, where he died in 2019 at the age of 96.

He married Jean McFadden in 1947 and they had two sons and two daughters.

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/meyerto01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=meyerto01

Frank Mekules

Frank Anthony Mekules


Born:
November 16, 1918
Detroit (?), MI

Died:
September 5, 1958



Career
1935-36 Western High School - Detroit (High School)
1936-37 Western High School - Detroit (High School)
1937-38 Western High School - Detroit (High School)
1939-40 Michigan State University (College)
1940-41 Michigan State University (College)
1941-42 Detroit Auto Club (Detroit Basketball Association)
1946-47 Detroit Gems (NBL)
1946-47 Smoke Brothers - River Rouge, MI (Independent) 
1947-48 House of David (Independent)
1948-49 House of David (Independent)
1949-50 House of David (Independent) 
1950-51 House of David (Independent)

From Wayne, Michigan. Played three games for Detroit Gems.

Born in Detroit to Charles and Ida Mekules, Frank was a three-sport star at Western High School in Detroit. 


Sister named Helen. Married Margaret Gilley in Oklahoma, in 1947.

Daughter's 2010 obituary:
http://www.mywebtimes.com/obituaries/cynthia-a-mekules-holmberg/article_f08d179a-771c-5067-bc05-c4f7c8c57a2b.html

The 6'3 guard also played minor league baseball in the Western Texas / New Mexico League and the Southeastern League from 1946-48.





Minor League Baseball Stats:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=mekule001fra

Source:
Odessa American, Feb 9, 1949
Detroit Free Press, Feb 6, 1938
Ancestry.com

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/mekulfr01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mekulfr01

Bernie Mehen

Bernard J. Mehen


Born:
September 19, 1918
Wheeling, WV

Died:
May 11, 2007
Sylvania, OH


Career
1935-36 Wheeling High School - West Virginia (High School)
1936-37 Wheeling High School - West Virginia (High School)
1937-38 Wheeling High School - West Virginia (High School)
1939-40 University of Tennessee (College)
1940-41 University of Tennessee (College)
1941-42 University of Tennessee (College)
1945-46 Toledo Jim Whites (Independent)
1946-47 Youngstown Bears (NBL)
1946-47 Toledo Jeeps (NBL)
1947-48 Toledo Jeeps (NBL)

After helping Wheeling HS to the WV State Championships in 1936 and 1937, Mehen moved on to the University of Tennessee where he was an All-American. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War 2 where his heel was shattered by a mortar shell in Europe, he played for Youngstown and Toledo in the NBL. When the Toledo franchise moved to Waterloo, Iowa, Mehen decided to stay in Toledo where he took employment as an appliance and furniture salesman.

Mehen's younger brother Dick played with him at Tennessee, and later for the Jeeps.

He married Lucille on May 31, 1942 and had two daughters, Andrea and Sandra.

Source:
Wheeling Hall of Fame
Obituary

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/mehenbe01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mehenbe01

Chick Meehan

John Dennis "Chick" Meehan


Born:
January 9, 1917
Syracuse, NY

Died:
April 9, 2004
Kerhonkson, NY


Career
Christian Brothers Academy - Syracuse, NY (High School)
1939-40 Syracuse Reds (NY State Professional Basketball League)
1940-41 Newark Elks (Independent)
1941-42 Newark Elks (Independent)
1942-43 Newark Elks (Independent)
1943-44 Rochester Pros (Independent)
1945-46 Syracuse Stars (All-American Basketball League)
1946-47 Syracuse Nationals (NBL)
1947-48 Syracuse Nationals (NBL)
1947-48 Mohawk Redkins (NYSL)
1948-49 Utica Olympics (NYSL)
1950-51 Kerhonkson High School - New York (High School) - Head coach
1951-52 Kerhonkson High School - New York (High School) - Head coach
1952-53 Kerhonkson High School - New York (High School) - Head coach
1953-54 Kerhonkson High School - New York (High School) - Head coach
1954-55 Kerhonkson High School - New York (High School) - Head coach
1955-56 Kerhonkson High School - New York (High School) - Head coach
1957-58 Rondout Central Valley High School - New York (High School) - Head coach
1958-59 Rondout Central Valley High School - New York (High School) - Head coach
1959-60 Rondout Central Valley High School - New York (High School) - Head coach
1960-61 Rondout Central Valley High School - New York (High School) - Head coach
1961-62 Rondout Central Valley High School - New York (High School) - Head coach
1962-63 Rondout Central Valley High School - New York (High School) - Head coach
1963-64 Rondout Central Valley High School - New York (High School) - Head coach
1964-65 Rondout Central Valley High School - New York (High School) - Head coach
1965-66 Rondout Central Valley High School - New York (High School) - Head coach
1966-67 Rondout Central Valley High School - New York (High School) - Head coach
1967-68 Rondout Central Valley High School - New York (High School) - Head coach
1968-69 Rondout Central Valley High School - New York (High School) - Head coach
1969-70 Rondout Central Valley High School - New York (High School) - Head coach
1970-71 Rondout Central Valley High School - New York (High School) - Head coach
1971-72 Rondout Central Valley High School - New York (High School) - Head coach
1981-82 unknown High School - New York (High School) - Head coach
Marlboro High School - New York (High School) - Head coach ??


Allegedly played basketball at Syracuse University according to some sources, but there is no record of this.

His coaching record above is incomplete.

Source:
Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/meehajo01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=meehach01

Bill McCahan

William Glenn McCahan


Born:
June 7, 1921
Philadelphia, PA


Died:
July 3, 1986
Fort Worth, TX


Career
Langhorne High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1939-40 Duke University (College)
1940-41 Duke University (College)
1941-42 Duke University (College)
1943-44 Wilmington Bombers Blue (ABL)
1945-46 Wilmington Bombers (ABL)
1946-47 Syracuse Nationals (NBL)
1946-47 Clifton Heights (Independent)
1948-49 Atlantic City Tides / Philadelphia SPHAs (ABL)
1949-50 Lancaster Rockets (EPBL)

1951-52 Lancaster Rockets (EPBL)  

After playing basketball and baseball at Duke, McCahan played in the Philadelphia Athletics minor league system, with an interruption in his pitching career where he was a test pilot in the Air Corps. He came back from the war and eventually made it to the Athletics, playing for Connie Mack for 4 seasons. He also threw a no-hitter in which he was an error away from a perfect game.

McCahan died of cancer in 1986.

He was married to Marie (b.1920).


Major League Baseball Stats
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mccahbi01.shtml

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/mccahwi01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mccahbi01

Thanks to Jay LaFountaine for helping with his career info.

Jack Maddox

Jack Clinton Maddox


Born:
December 10, 1919
Medicine Mound, TX

Died:
July 9, 2006
Lamar City, TX


Career
1935-36 Wichita Falls High School - Texas (High School)
1936-37 Wichita Falls High School - Texas (High School)
1937-38 Wichita Falls High School - Texas (High School)
1940-41 West Texas State (College)
1941-42 West Texas State (College)
1942-43 West Texas State (College)
1946-47 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1947-48 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1948-49 Hammond Calumet Buccaneers (NBL)
1948-49 Indianapolis Jets (BAA)
1952-53 Blossom High School - Blossom, TX (High School) - Head coach
1953-54 Blossom High School - Blossom, TX (High School) - Head coach
1954-55 Blossom High School - Blossom, TX (High School) - Head coach

One of 13 children born to Benjamin Franklin Maddox and Nettie Hightower Maddox, Maddox went to SMU on an athletic scholarship but in February of 1939 was declared academically ineligible. He then transferred to West Texas State. He served in the USMC before his time as a professional basketball player. He also worked as a cowboy in the off season. Returned to Texas to work as a cowboy and a rancher, and was a calf roper in rodeos as well as teaching and working as a principal. He coached at Blossom HS, and also worked as a basketball official. (He often gets credit for playing with the Tulsa Ranchers, but that is actually Joe "Red" Maddox out of Northwestern State.)

He married Reva Doum (1920-2004) on July 24, 1946, and they had a son, Clint, and a daughter, Cassie.

Source:
Grave / Obituary
Vernon (TX) Daily Record 2/9/1939

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/maddoja01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/maddoja01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=maddoja01

Del Loranger

Delbert Loranger


Born:
March 17, 1920
Detroit, MI

Died:
March 24, 2003
St. Clair, MI


Career
1936-37 Fordson High School - Dearborn, MI (High School)
1937-38 Fordson High School - Dearborn, MI (High School)
1938-39 Fordson High School - Dearborn, MI (High School)
1939-40 Western Michigan University (College) freshman
1940-41 Western Michigan University (College)
1941-42 Western Michigan University (College)
1942-43 Western Michigan University (College)
1944-45 College All-Stars (Exhibition)
1944-45 Midland Dow Chemical (Independent) 
1944-45 Detrtoit Mansfields (Detroit Basketball Association)
1945-46 Detrtoit Mansfields (Detroit Basketball Association) 
1946-47 Detroit Gems (NBL)
1947-48 Kansas City Blues (PBLA)
1947-48 Indianapolis Kautskys (NBL)
1947-48 Detroit Vagabonds (Independent)
1948-49 Detroit Vagabond Kings (NBL) - Player / head coach
1948-49 Detroit Jerry Lynch All-Stars (Independent)  

Grew up in Dearborn, Michigan, Loranger went to WMU where he played basketball and baseball.He later worked as a teacher and principal in Dearborn, Michigan.

He was married to Margaret Fotser (b. 1923) in 1945 and they had a son and a daughter.

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/l/lorande01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=lorande01

Sam Lieberman

Samuel R. Lieberman


Born:
September 20, 1921
Detroit, MI

Died:
September 5, 1993
Southfield, MI


Career

1939-40 Lawrence Tech - Southfield, MI (College) - Freshmen
1940-41 Lawrence Tech - Southfield, MI (College)
1941-42 Lawrence Tech - Southfield, MI (College)
1942-43 Lawrence Tech - Southfield, MI (College)
1942-43 Selfridge Field Flyers (Military)
1945-46 Fort Devens (Military)
1945-46 Detroit Mansfields (Detroit Basketball Association)
1946-47 Syracuse Nationals (NBL)
1946-47 Fitchburg PAMCO's (NEBL)



Source:
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KMXP-RVC
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JLQF-7Z9
Fitchburg Sentinel, January 24, 1947


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/l/liebesa01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=liebesa01

Freddie Lewis

Frederick Bott Lewis, Jr.


Born:
January 6, 1921
Brooklyn, NY

Died:
December 27, 1994
El Dorado, CA


Career
James Madison High School - Brooklyn, NY (High School)
1940-41 Long Island University (College)
1941-42 Long Island University (College)
1942-43 Long Island University (College)
1945-46 Eastern Kentucky University (College)
1945-46 Sheboygan Redskins (Independent)
1946-47 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)
1947-48 Birmingham Skyhawks (PBLA) - Player / Head Coach
1947-48 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)
1947-48 Indianapolis Kautskys (NBL)
1948-49 Indianapolis Jets (BAA)
1948-49 Baltimore Bullets (BAA)
1949-50 Baltimore Bullets (NBA)
1949-50 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)
1949-50 Hartford Hurricanes (ABL)
1950-51 Meridan Sons of Italy (EBL-Ct)
1951-52 Washington Capitols (ABL)

Pretty sure he served in the military during World War 2.

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/l/lewisfr01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lewisfr01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=lewisfr01

Dave Latter

David James Latter, Jr.


Born:
January 5, 1922
Leslie, MI

Died:
October 28, 2000
Leslie, MI


Career
Leslie High School - Michigan (High School)
1946-47 Detroit Gems (NBL)
1947-48 St. Joseph Outlaws (PBLA)
1948-49 Detroit Vagabond Kings (NBL)

From Leslie, Michigan, Latter was a minor league pitching prospect who signed with the Detroit Tigers. He left the team to join the U.S. Army for World War 2, where he was wounded and received a Purple Heart. After the war, he resumed his baseball career as well as playing professional basketball. In baseball, he never made it higher than AA ball in the Yankees' organization.


Minor League Baseball Stats
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=latter001dav

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/l/latteda01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=latteda01

Milo Komenich

Milan Melvin Komenich


Born:
June 22, 1920
Gary, IN

Died:
May 25, 1977
Manteca, CA


Career
1939-40 Lew Wallace High School  - Gary, Indiana (High School)
1940-41 University of Wyoming (College) - freshmen
1941-42 University of Wyoming (College)
1942-43 University of Wyoming (College)
1945-46 University of Wyoming (College)
1945-46 Hollywood 20th Century Fox (AAU)
1946-47 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)
1947-48 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)
1947-48 Anderson Duffey Packers (NBL)
1948-49 Anderson Duffey Packers (NBL)
1949-50 Anderson Packers (NBA)
1950-51 Anderson Packers (NPBL)
1953-54 Anderson (IPL)


Komenich, at 6'7, was too tall to serve in the military, so he became a truck driver  to help in the war effort.

He was married to Juanita, who died in 1975. Komenich died a couple years later at 56 years of age.

Komenich's son, Kim, produced a documentary about the University of Wyoming NCAA champion team that Milo played on.
Cowboys - Documentary

Brother of Bill Komenich

Source:
http://www.marinij.com/article/ZZ/20140406/NEWS/140408706
http://www.mantecabulletin.com/archives/108502/

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/k/komenmi01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/komenmi01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=komenmi01

Leo Klier

Leo Anthony Klier


Born:
May 21, 1923
Washington, IN

Died:
June 4, 2005
Naperville, IL


Career

1938-39 Washington High School - Indiana (High School)
1941-40 Washington High School - Indiana (High School)
1942-43 Notre Dame (College)
1943-44 Notre Dame (College)
1945-46 Notre Dame (College)
1946-47 Indianapolis Kautskys (NBL)
1947-48 Indianapolis Kautskys (NBL)
1948-49 Fort Wayne Pistons (BAA)
1949-50 Fort Wayne Pistons (BAA)
1950-51 Anderson Packers (NPBL) - Player / Head Coach

Klier set the single-season scoring record for Notre Dame in the 1943-44 season, but missed the next season as he was serving his country in the U.S. Navy. He returnd in 1945-46 for his senior year and topped his previous scoring record, and was on the college All-Star team that defeated the NBL All-Star squad in an exhbition game. A pioneer of the one-handed set shot, Leo went on to play for Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, before being named head coach as well as playing for Anderson in the short-lived NPBL. He also worked in the off-season as a lifeguard at the Broadmoor Country Club in Indianapolis, before being sold to Fort Wayne in July of 1948. He began working for Amoco Oil as a salesman in 1952, and remained there until his retirement in 1979. In retirement, he owned and operated a service station in Evergreen Park, Illinois. Leo died in 2005.

He was married to Nancy in 1946 and they had nine children; Peggy, Marianne, Michael, Janet, Martha, Kevin, Carol, Daniel and Timothy.

Source:
Indianapolis Star, July 12, 1948
Obituary (Chicago Daily Herald, June 7, 2005)

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/k/klierle01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/klierle01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=klierle01

Doc Wright identified

Sometimes a single word in a newspaper article great break the case open. In this case, a small article about Doc White dropped the name of his hometown, which broke this mystery on the identity of this player for the Youngstown Bears.



Doc Wright
1921-2008

Herb Hutchisson identified

I found a newspaper article about Hutchisson joining the pro team in Coshocton, Ohio, that pretty confirmed what I had previously found. His exact date of birth is still unknown. His name is also corrected from "Hutchinson" to "Hutchisson"

Herb Hutchisson
1915?-1968

Willie King

Wilbert King


Born:
1915
Alabama

Died:
1965
Michigan


Career
1932-33 Pershing High School - Detroit (High School)
1933-34 Pershing High School - Detroit (High School)
1934-35 Pershing High School - Detroit (High School)
1935-36 Central A.A (Detroit Recreational League)
1941-42 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1941-42 Trojans (Detroit Basketball Association)
1942-43 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1943-44 Brewster Recreation (Detroit Basketball Association)
1946-47 Detroit Gems (NBL)
1947-48 Kansas City Stars (Independent)
1947-48 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1948-49 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)

He worked out of the Brewster athletic complex in Detroit, playing basketball as well as boxing in Detroit Golden Gloves tournaments. The boxer was from Highland Park and baked cookies for a living.

Born to Joseph and Hattie King in Alabama, Willie was a prominent athlete in the Detroit are in high school, as a star halfback in football, hurdler in track, and a guard on the hardwood. His older brother Albert was a star high jumper at Pershing, and went on to Wayne State.

He was married to Amanda Mae Miller.

Update 5/17/16:
Ancestry.com had his information on here. It was linked to Harlem Globetrotter documents.
http://person.ancestry.com/tree/33493899/person/18493174288/story



Source:
Detroit Free Press, February 2, 1934
Detroit Free Press, February 22, 1941
1930 Census
1940 Census



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/k/kingwi02n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=kingwi01

Dolly King

William "Dolly" King


Born:
November 15, 1916


Died:
January 29, 1969
Binghamton, NY


Career
Alexander Hamilton High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1939-40 Long Island University (College)
1940-41 New York Rens (Independent)
1941-42 Washington Bears (Independent)
1942-43 Washington Bears (Independent)
1943-44 Washington Bears (Independent)
1944-45 Washington Bears (Independent)
1944-45 Rochester (Independent)
1945-46 Washington Bears (Independent) 
1946-47 Rochester Royals (NBL)
1947-48 New York Rens (Independent) 
1948-49 Dayton Rens (NBL)
1948-49 New Haven Hulls Red Devils (EBL-Ct)
1948-49 Mohawk Redskins (NYSL)
1948-49 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1949-50 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1950-51 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1951-52 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1951-52 Saratoga / Schenectady Harlem Yankees (ABL)
1964-65 Manhattan Borough CC (College) - Head coach
1965-66 Manhattan Borough CC (College) - Head coach
1966-67 Manhattan Borough CC (College) - Head coach
1967-68 Manhattan Borough CC (College) - Head coach
1968-69 Manhattan Borough CC (College) - Head coach

At Long Island, King played football, basketball and baseball. Dolly quit LIU and went pro with the Rens. He took the basketball coaching and athletic director job at Manhattan Borough Community College. He also played baseball briefly in the Negro Leagues, including some time with the Homestead Greys. He eventually went back to LIU to finish his schooling and obtaining a Master's Degree.

Shortly after a Manhattan game, Dolly had a heart attack and died the next morning.

Source:
Oneonta Star, January 31, 1969

Baseball stats:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=king--014wil

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/k/kingwi01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=kingdo01

Paul Juntunen

Paul Juntunen (Jayson)


Born:
February 13, 1921
Sault Ste. Marie, MI

Died:
October 16, 2004
Pensacola, FL


Career
(High School)
1939-40 Wayne State University (College)
1940-41 Wayne State University (College)
1940-41 Winston (Detroit Basketball Association)
1941-42 Wayne State University (College)
1945-46 Detroit Mansfields (Detroit Basketball Association)
1946-47 Detroit Gems (NBL)
1946-47 Detroit (Independent)
1948-49 Detroit Vagabond Kings (NBL)

Update 5/17/2016
Part of the mystery of our guy, as indicated by records at ancestry.com, was because he later went by the name Paul Jayson. Once I found that, it was an easier route.

Born to Henry and Rauha Juntunen, Paul went to Wayne State University, and then entered the U.S. Navy. He later worked for WKMH in Detroit as a news editor. He served his country not only in World War 2, but in the Korean and Vietnam wars. At some point he changed his name to "Jayson," which is the name he and his wife are buried under.

He married Mary Elizabeth Forsbach (1924-2007) on August 22, 1943.

Source:
Mary's Obituary
Ancestry (Mem. req.)

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/j/juntupa01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=juntupa01

Arnie Johnson

Arnitz L. Johnson


Born:
May 16, 1920
Gonvick, MN

Died:
June 6, 2000
Rochester, NY


Career
Gonvick High School - Minnesota (High School)
1940-41 Bemidji Teachers College (College)
1941-42 Bemidji Teachers College (College)
1943-44 Buckley Field (Military)
1944-45 Buckley Field (Military)
1945-46 Denver Ambrose Jellymakers (ABL-AAU)
1946-47 Rochester Royals (NBL)
1947-48 Rochester Royals (NBL)
1948-49 Rochester Royals (BAA)
1949-50 Rochester Royals (NBA)
1950-51 Rochester Royals (NBA)
1951-52 Rochester Royals (NBA)
1952-53 Rochester Royals (NBA)

Johnson married Nancy Hallauer in 1949.

Source:
Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, June 8, 2000

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/j/johnsar01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/johnsar01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=johnsar01

Charlie Joachim

Charles Henry "Pappy" Joachim 


Born:
July 21, 1920
Youngstown, OH

Died:
March 17, 2002
San Francisco, CA


Career
Youngstown East High School - Ohio (High School)
1940-41 Mount Union (College)
1941-42 Mount Union (College)
1943-44 Great Lakes (military)
1946-47 Youngstown Bears (NBL)
1947-48 Flint/Midland Dow A.C.'s (NBL)
1947-48 Youngstown Cubs (AABL)
1949-50 Sharon Pioneers (AABL)
1956-57 Rayen High School - Youngstown, OH (High School) - Head coach
1957-58 Rayen High School - Youngstown, OH (High School) - Head coach
1958-59 Rayen High School - Youngstown, OH (High School) - Head coach
1959-60 Rayen High School - Youngstown, OH (High School) - Head coach



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/c/campbfr01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=joachch01

Mort Hill

Mortimer Crenshaw Hill


Born:
October 24, 1922
Los Angeles, CA

Died:
October 6, 1977
Orange County, CA


Career
1939-40 Herbert Hoover High School - Glendale, CA (High School)
1940-41 Glendale JC (College)
1941-42 UCSB (College) 
1942-43 UCSB (College)
1945-46 St. Louis Blues (Independent)
1946-47 St. Louis Blues (Independent)
1946-47 Syracuse Nationals (NBL)
1946-47 Worcester (NEBL) 
1947-48 Worcester (NEBL) 

Some gaps appear in his playing career above. UCSB shut their basketball program down during World War 2 after the 1942-43 season.


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/h/hillmo01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=hillmo01

Max Biggs

Max Eugene Biggs


Born:
June 15, 1923
West Lebanon, IN

Died:
October 25, 1990
Palm Beach Gardens, FL


Career
Jefferson High School - Lafayette, Indiana (High School)
1942-43 Purdue University (College)
1944-45 Denver Ambrose Jellymakers (AAU)
1946-47 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)

From Lafayette, Indiana, Biggs was one of ten children born to Guy and Ruby Biggs. He played one year of basketball at Purdue, as a sophomore in the 1942-43 season. He was also a all-American football player. He went into the Navy after the 1942-43 school year. He played for Sheboygan for in the playoffs of the 1846-47 NBL season, despite not playing during the regular season.  He eventually moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and later Florida, where he did in 1990.

He married Sally Spindler on March 8, 1947, and later married Evelyn Pike. Not sure if he was divorced or widowed. He had two daughters, Debbie and Elaine.

His obituary says he played football professionally, but I see no record of this.



Source:
Max Biggs, “The Boilermaker Letterman,” The Alumnus 31, no. 2 (November 1943)
Vidette-Messenger (Valparaiso, March 7, 1947)
http://www.ingenweb.org/intippecanoe/JC_smo.html
Obituary, Tuscaloosa News, October 27, 1990

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/b/biggsma01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=biggsma01

Paul Herman

Paul T. Herman


Born:
July 5, 1921
Ohio

Died:
July 20, 1972
Wheeling, WV


Career
1936-37 Washington High School - Massilon, OH (High School)
1937-38 Washington High School - Massilon, OH (High School)
1938-39 Washington High School - Massilon, OH (High School)
1940-41 University of Tennessee (College)
1941-42 University of Tennessee (College)
1942-43 University of Tennessee (College)
1944-45 21st Aviation Engineering Bulldozers (military)
1946-47 Youngstown Bears (NBL)
1947-48 Flint/Midland Dow A.C.'s (NBL)
1947-48 Wheeling Puritans (AABL)
1948-49 Wheeling Blues (AABL)
1949-50 Wheeling (AAPBL)
1950-51 Wheeling (AAPBL)
1951-52 Wheeling (Independent)


Born to Leo (Lee W. Herman) (1892-1970) and Esther (1895-1964) Herman, brother of Roy (b.1918) and Leo (1916-1967). He went to UT, but entered the army for World War 2 and didn't finish his schooling.

He married Helen Rickus in 1952.

Source:
Evening Independent, November 11, 1946
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F1R9-ZBN

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/h/hermapa01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=hermapa01

Curt Henderson

Albert Curtis "Curt" Henderson


Born:
January 27, 1917
Watson, IL

Died:
June 10, 2006
Watson, IL


Career
Sparks Business College - Shelbyville, IL
Sparks Business College - Shelbyville, IL
1938-39 Sparks Business College - Shelbyville, IL
Ford Motor - Detroit (Semi-pro)
Willys Overland - Toledo (Semi-pro)
1946-47 Keller's Oilers - Effingham, Illinois (Independent)
1946-47 Detroit Gems (NBL)

Many sources say he played at SIU, but he does not appear on their all-time roster.

Henderson played at Sparks Business College for three years (not sure which other two seasons he played), and later played semi-pro basketball around the Midwest before playing professionally for the Gems. He later became a businessman in Decatur and a member of the Board of Education in Effingham, Illinois.

Source:
Decatur Herald (January 15, 1947)
Decatur Herald (February 26, 1939)
Grave

Also would like to thank Jane Loy Ries at the Effingham County Courthouse in Effingham, Illinois, for helping me identify Mr. Henderson. She was in contact with Curt's widow, Melba, and was able to ascertain his identity for us and get us this great photo.

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/h/hendecu01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=hendecu01

Chuck Hawley

Charles Stanley Hawley


Born:
April 3, 1915
Odin, IL


Died:
October 2, 1992
Odin, IL


Career

1946-47 Detroit Gems (NBL)

Born to Stanley and Mary Hawley, Hawley pitched 19 season of minor league baseball, winning over 250 games. He was briefly a member of the Detroit Gems in the NBL. He later was a long-time baseball coach at Kaskaskia College in Illinois.

Source:
Kaskaskia Athletic Hall of Fame

Minor League Baseball Stats
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=hawley001cha


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/h/hawlech01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=hawlech01

Billy Hassett

William Joseph Hassett


Born:
October 21, 1921
New York, NY

Died:
November 18, 1992
Leonardo, NJ


Career
1940-41 LaSalle Academy - New York (High School)
1942-43 Georgetown (College)
1943-44 Dow Chemical (AAU)
1944-45 Notre Dame (College)
1945-46 Notre Dame (College)
1946-47 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBL)
1947-48 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBL)
1947-48 Chicago Gears (PBLA)
1948-49 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBL)
1949-50 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBA)
1949-50 Minneapolis Lakers  (NBA)
1950-51 Baltimore Bullets (NBA)

Hassett played basketball at Georgetown, but when Georgetown dropped basketball due to World War 2, Hassett played a year of AAU ball before transferring over to Notre Dame. After graduating, he played in the NBL, PBLA and NBA.

Billy's older brother Buddy played pro basketball in the ABL and also played baseball for seven years in the major leagues.



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/h/hassewi01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hassebi01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=hassebi01

Luther Harris

Luther Harris, Jr.


Born:
August 27, 1923
Browning (?), IL

Died:
February 3, 1986
Cottage Hills, IL


Career
1941-42 East Alton-Wood River - Wood River, IL (High School)
1942-43 East Alton-Wood River - Wood River, IL (High School)
1946-47 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)
1947-48 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)
1947-48 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBL)
1948-49 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBL)
1949-50 Wood River Standard Oilers (Independent)

Born to Luther and Bessie Harris, with a brother, Norman E. Harris.

Almost positive this is our guy. Age is right, and died near where he grew up. (Same county, a few miles away)

Source:
Alton Evening Telegraph, March 28, 1950


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/h/harrilu01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=harrilu02

Bruce Hale

William Bruce Hale


Born:
August 30, 1918
Medford, OR

Died:
December 31, 1980
Orinda, CA


Career
Galileo High School - San Francisco (High School)
1938-39 Santa Clara University (College)
1939-40 Santa Clara University (College)
1940-41 Santa Clara University (College)
1944-45 Dayton Acmes (Independent)
1945-46 Dayton Mickeys (Independent) Head coach / player
1946-47 Chicago American Gears (NBL)
1947-48 St. Paul Saints (PBLA) Head coach / player
1947-48 Indianapolis Kautskys (NBL)
1948-49 Indianapolis Jets (BAA) - Player / head coach
1948-49 Fort Wayne Pistons (BAA)
1949-50 Indianapolis Olympians (NBA)
1950-51 Indianapolis Olympians (NBA)
1954-55 University of Miami - Florida (College) - Head Coach
1955-56 University of Miami - Florida (College) - Head Coach
1956-57 University of Miami - Florida (College) - Head Coach
1957-58 University of Miami - Florida (College) - Head Coach
1958-59 University of Miami - Florida (College) - Head Coach
1959-60 University of Miami - Florida (College) - Head Coach
1960-61 University of Miami - Florida (College) - Head Coach
1961-62 University of Miami - Florida (College) - Head Coach
1962-63 University of Miami - Florida (College) - Head Coach
1963-64 University of Miami - Florida (College) - Head Coach
1964-65 University of Miami - Florida (College) - Head Coach
1965-66 University of Miami - Florida (College) - Head Coach
1966-67 University of Miami - Florida (College) - Head Coach
1967-68 Oakland Oaks (ABA) - Head Coach
1970-71 St. Mary's College - California (College) - Head Coach
1971-72 St. Mary's College - California (College) - Head Coach
1972-73 St. Mary's College - California (College) - Head Coach 


Hale died of a heart attack in 1980. California Death Records say December 31, other sources claim December 30.

He was married to Dolores and had a son and two daughters. His daughter, Pam, married one of his Miami players... a fellow named Rick Barry.


Source:
Obit - Lakeland Ledger, January 2, 1981

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/h/halewi01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/halebr01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=halebr01

Nicholas Grunzweig

Nicholas John Grunzweig, Jr.


Born:
July 21, 1918
Buffalo, NY

Died:
February 10, 2007
Des Moines, IA


Career
Canisius High School - Buffalo (High School)
1937-38 Niagara (College)
1938-39 Niagara (College)
1939-40 Niagara (College)
1946-47 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBL)

Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Grunzweig went into the military and after tours of duty in the infantry in Europe in World War 2, followed by combat in Korea, Grunzweig spent 30 years in the army, retiring a colonel in 1973. He played one season with the Blackhawks. After retirement from the military, he moved to Iowa where he worked for the Department of Human Services until retiring in 1979.

He was married to Bernice and they had three daughters and four sons.

Source:
Obituary




Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/g/grunzni01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=grunzni01

Frankie Gilhooley

Francis Patrick Gilhooley, Jr.


Born:
June 15, 1924
Toledo, Ohio

Died:
November 19, 2010
Perrysburg, OH


Career
1939-40 Central Catholic - Toledo (High School)
1940-41 Central Catholic - Toledo (High School)
1941-42 Central Catholic - Toledo (High School)
1943-44 Notre Dame (College)
1944-45 Notre Dame (College)
1945-46 Notre Dame (College)
1946-47 Benton Harbor Gardner Bros (Independent)
1946-47 Toledo Jeeps (NBL)
1947-48 Toledo Mercuries (Independent)
1948-49 Toledo Mercuries (Independent)
1949-50 Toledo Mercuries (Independent)
1950-51 Toledo Mercuries (Independent)
1951-52 Toledo Mercuries (Independent)
1952-53 Toledo Mercuries (Independent)

The son of New York Yankee outfield Frank Gilhooley Sr, Frank was a star baseball and basketball player at Catholic Central in Toledo, and played both sports at Notre Dame. After a brief stint with the Jeeps, Gilhooley move into the broadcast booth, and is better known as the former voice of the Toledo Mud Hens.




Source:
Obituary

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/g/gilhofr01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=gilhofr01