Jack Rocker

Jack Leonard Rocker


Born:
August 12, 1922
Lindsay, CA

Died:
November 27, 2010
Bainbridge Island, WA


Career
1939-40 Lindsay High School - California (High School)
1941-42 University of California (College)
1942-43 University of California (College)
1943-44 San Luis Obispo (Military) ??
1943-44 St. Mary's Pre-Flight (Military)
1946-47 University of California (College)
1946-47 Oakland Bittners (AAU)
1947-48 Minneapolis Lakers (NBL)
1947-48 Philadelphia Warriors (BAA)
1947-48 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)

One of nine kids born to Henry Clay Rocker (1875-1963) and Sarah Emily Merriss (1882-1962), Rocker may have been the first American Indian to play in the NBL. His name appears on an Indian Census, listing him and his family as members of the Peoria tribe.

His time at Cal was interrupted by his service in the military.

(Sorry for the photo quality, but it was the only one I could find.)


Source:
Oakland Tribune, September 2, 1943
Fresno Bee Republican, March 9, 1940
Indian Census, 1937 (Ancestry.com - membership required)

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/r/rockeja01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rockeja01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=rockeja01