Johnny Ezersky

John Joseph Ezersky


Born:
March 21, 1922
Manhattan, NY

Died:
February 20, 2012
Walnut Creek, CA



Career
1938-39 Power Memorial High School - New York City (High School)
1939-40 Power Memorial High School - New York City (High School)
1940-41 Power Memorial High School - New York City (High School)
1945-46 New York Gothams (ABL)
1945-46 Long Island Bombers (Independent)
1945-46 New York Laurels (Independent)
1946-47 Brooklyn Gothams (ABL)
1947-48 Brooklyn Gothams (ABL)
1947-48 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBL)
1947-48 Twin Cities Celtics (NYSL)
1947-48 Providence Steamrollers (BAA)
1948-49 Providence Steamrollers (BAA)
1948-49 Baltimore Bullets (BAA)
1948-49 Boston Celtics (BAA)
1949-50 Baltimore Bullets (NBA)
1949-50 Boston Celtics (NBA)
1949-50 Hartford Hurricanes (ABL)
1950-51 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)
1951-52 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)
1951-52 Scranton Miners (ABL)

Ezersky was born in Manhattan to Alexander and Sofie Ezersky. His younger brother Alex was a teammate in Power Memorial. Many newspaper articles refer to Johnny as having played at Rhode Island, but this is not the case. He was ruled ineligible to play collegiate basketball after accepting money during his senior year in high school. He entered the military and was one of the many heroes who invaded at Normandy. After the war, he began his professional basketball career, as well as beginning what would be a life-long career of being a taxi driver, in 1946.

After his playing career, he moved out to San Franciso, where he was driving a cab well into his golden years. He was vocal about the lack of support former NBA players were getting from the league. He eventually received a pension from the NBA.

He was married to Elaine around 1981.

Source:
What the Hell Happened to John Ezersky, Celtics Life, March 2011
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, March 21, 1941
Pro Basketball Pioneer Enjoys Later Years, East Bay Times, Sept 10, 2007

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/e/ezersjo01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/ezersjo01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=ezersjo01