Harry Walters

Harry Walters


Born:
1914?


Died:




Career
1933-34 Brooklyn Jewels (ABL)
1933-34 Wilkes Barre (PSL)
1934-35 New York Jewels (ABL)
1942-43 Camden / Brooklyn Indians (ABL)

Could it be Dr. Harold Bower Walters? He graduated from Cornell in 1934 and according to the school's yearbook played basketball. Born April 6, 1911, in Newark, died January 18, 2003). Became a veterinarian.

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/harry-walters/

George Slott

George Slott


Born:
June 9, 1912
Brooklyn, NY

Died:
February 22, 1962



Career
1929-30 Hamilton High School - New York (High School)
1931-32 St. John's University (College)
1932-33 St. John's University (College)
1933-34 Brooklyn Jewels (ABL)
1934-35 New York Jewels (ABL)
1934-35 Plymouth (PSL)
1935-36 New York Jewels (ABL)
1936-37 New York Jewels (ABL)
1936-37 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1937-38 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1937-38 New York Jewels (ABL)
1938-39 New York Jewels (ABL)
1939-40 New York Jewels (ABL)
1940-41 New York Jewels (ABL)
1940-41 Baltimore Clippers (ABL)
1940-41 Washington Brewers (ABL)
1941-42 Washington Brewers (ABL)
1941-42 Long Island Gruman Flyers (Independent)
1942-43 Long Island Gruman Wildcats (Independent) Head coach / player
1943-44 Brooklyn Indians (ABL)
1943-44 New York Americans (ABL)
1944-45 Brooklyn Visitation (Independent)
1945-46 New York Jewels (Independent)
1945-46 Brooklyn Visitation (Independent)

Slott has a very long career in the ABL, and was one of the league's most recognizable players. He died in 1962 at the young age of 49. I cannot find the circumstances behind his early death.


Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/george-slott/

Allie Schuckman

Albert Schuckman


Born:
November 25, 1907
New York, NY

Died:
April 29, 1982
Miami, FL


Career
1926-27 Thomas Jefferson High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1927-28 St.John’s University (College) Freshmen
1928-29 St.John’s University (College)
1929-30 St.John’s University (College)
1930-31 St.John’s University (College)
1931-32 Brooklyn Jewels (MBL)
1932-33 Brooklyn Jewels (MBL)
1932-33 Bridgeton Gems (EBL)
1933-34 Brooklyn Jewels (ABL)
1933-34 Tunkhannock (PSL)
1934-35 New York Jewels (ABL)
1934-35 Tunkhannock (PSL)
1935-36 New York Jewels (ABL)
1935-36 Wilkes-Barre (PSL)
1936-37 New York Jewels (ABL)
1936-37 Hazleton/Tunkhannock (PSL)
1937-38 Kingston Colonials (ABL)
1937-38 New York Jewels (ABL)
1937-38 Tunkhannock (NYPA)
1937-38 Hazleton (NYPA)
1937-38 Wilkes-Barre Barons (NYPA)
1938-39 New York Jewels (ABL)
1938-39 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL) Head coach / player
1939-40 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL) Head coach / player
1939-40 Baltimore Clippers (ABL)
1940-41 Baltimore Clippers (ABL)
1940-41 New York Jewels (ABL)
1944-45 New York Westchesters (ABL)

From Brooklyn, Schuckman graduated from Jefferson HS and was enrolled in LIU, but quickly transferred to St. John's when he saw what coach Buck Freeman has putting together there. The "Wonder Five," as the St. John's squad was called, became the first collegiate super-team, and as first-year players, the freshmen team went 18-4. (At this time, freshmen were not allowed to play on the varsity team at college.) In the three seasons that followed, the Wonder Five went 23-2, 24-1 and 21-1. Because of these team's greatness, basketball had found immense popularity in New York and the city would be the cultural center of the sport for decades to come.

After graduating in 1931, the St. John's team decided to stay together, and form their own pro unit, the Brooklyn Jewels. Eventually, the team would join the revamped ABL and would be a mainstay throughout the 1930's. As the team began to break apart, Schuckman, who would also turn in duty for many other teams concurrently, would find his way to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He was named head coach in December of 1938, finishing the season as player / coach. This duty carried through the beginning of the 1939-40 season for being relieved of duty and sent to the Clippers. By the end of 1940-41, Allie retired as a player, although he was coaxed back onto the court in 1944 with the New York Westchesters when the war depleted the talent pool. He served briefly in the military during the war prior to his time with the Westchesters.

Source:
Jews In Sports

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/allie-schuckman/

Max Posnack

Max Posnack


Born:
June 23, 1909
Brooklyn, NY

Died:
June 30, 1978



Career
1924-25 Thomas Jefferson High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1925-26 Thomas Jefferson High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1926-27 Thomas Jefferson High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1927-28 St. John's University (College)
1928-29 St. John's University (College)
1929-30 St. John's University (College)
1930-31 St. John's University (College)
1931-32 Brooklyn Jewels (MBL)
1931-32 Philadelphia SPHA's (EBL)
1932-33 Brooklyn Jewels (MBL)
1932-33 Philadelphia SPHA's (EBL)
1933-34 Brooklyn Jewels (ABL)
1933-34 Carbondale (PSL)
1934-35 New York Jewels (ABL)
1934-35 Freeland (PSL)
1935-36 New York Jewels (ABL)
1935-36 Freeland (PSL)
1936-37 New York Jewels (ABL)
1936-37 Freeland (PSL)
1937-38 New York Yankees (ABL) Head coach / player
1937-38 Kingston Colonials (ABL)
1937-38 Hazelton-Binghamton (NYPA)
1937-38 Myerstown (TCL)
1938-39 Kingston Colonials
1938-39 Troy Haymakers (ABL)
1938-39 Lebanon Eagles (TCL)
1939-40 Washington Brewers (ABL)
1940-41 Washington Brewers (ABL)
1941-42 Washington Brewers (ABL)

Born to Nathan and Rose Posniak, Max grew up in Brooklyn and went to St. John's. He would go on to play pro basketball for a decade, mainly with the Jewels and the Washington Brewers in the ABL.

Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/mac-posnack/

Jake Poliskin

Jacob Poliskin


Born:
February 9, 1912
New Jersey

Died:
July 3, 1972
Los Angeles, CA


Career
1931-32 St. John's University (College)
1932-33 St. John's University (College)
1933-34 Brooklyn Jewels (ABL)
1934-35 New York Jewels (ABL)
1934-35 Plymouth (PSL)
1935-36 New York Jewels (ABL)
1935-36 Plymouth (PSL)
1941-42 New York Celtics (Independent)

Born to Russian immigrants, Poliskin grew up in Lincoln Park, New Jersey and attended St. John's and was a member of the Wonderful Five.

St. John's lists him on the All-Time Roster as "Polinski" and not "Poliskin."


Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/jake-poliskin/

John McGuinness

John Nicholas "Jack" McGuinness


Born:
September 10, 1911
Brooklyn, NY

Died:
September 14, 1980
Brooklyn, NY


Career
1929-30 St. John's Prep - Brooklyn (High School)
1930-31 St. John's University (College) Freshmen
1931-32 St. John's University (College)
1932-33 St. John's University (College)
1933-34 St. John's University (College)
1933-34 Brooklyn Jewels (ABL)
1934-35 YMHA - Hartford (Independent)
1934-35 Boston Trojans (ABL) ???
1934-35 Crescent Hamiltons (Independent)
1935-36 Crescent Hamiltons (Independent)
1936-37 Crescent Hamiltons (Independent)

When in high school. McGuinness was stuck with osteomyelitis, which is a serious infection of the bones which at that time was fatal 99% of the time. He recovered and returned to the basketball court none the worse for wear.


We know Jack had a brother named James. This could make him John Nicholas McGuinness? (Sept 10, 1911 - Sept 14, 1980) This John went to college, according to the 1940 census. Everything lines up, just not 100% positive. He was also Jewish, if that helps with identification.

Or maybe John E. McGuinness, born October 19, 1912, to Thomas and Jane McGuinness.

Newspaper article (Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Dec 6, 1934) says McGuinness was playing for the Boston Trojans. He left the team December 18 after riding the bench to join Crescent A.C. back in Brooklyn. Not sure if he played with the Trojans, but he was apparently at least on the time at some point.


Source:
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, February 28, 1934
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, December 18, 1934
Hartford Courant, December 15, 1934


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/john-mcguinness-2/

Nat Lazar

Nathan T. Lazar (Lazarowitz)


Born:
January 10, 1910
Romania

Died:
February 13, 1996
Pompano Beach, FL


Career

1930-31 St. John's University (College) Freshmen
1931-32 St. John's University (College)
1932-33 St. John's University (College)
1933-34 Brooklyn Jewels (ABL)
1934-35 St. John Collegians (Independent)
1936-37 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)



Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/nat-lazar/

Mac Kinsbruner

George "Mac" Kinsbruner


Born:
March 21, 1909
Austria

Died:
February 16, 1972
Kiamesha Lake, NY


Career
1924-25 New Utrecht High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1925-26 New Utrecht High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1926-27 New Utrecht High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1927-28 St. John’s University (College) Freshmen
1928-29 St. John’s University (College)
1929-30 St. John’s University (College)
1930-31 St. John’s University (College)
1931-32 Brooklyn Jewels (MBL)
1932-33 Brooklyn Jewels (MBL)
1932-33 Philadelphia Moose (ESBL)
1933-34 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1933-34 Wilkes-Barre (PSL)
1934-35 New York Jewels (ABL)
1934-35 Wilkes-Barre (PSL)
1935-36 New York Jewels (ABL)
1935-36 Wilkes-Barre (PSL)
1936-37 New York Jewels (ABL)
1936-37 Wilkes Barre (PSL)
1937-38 New Haven / New York Jewels (ABL)
1937-38 Wilkes-Barre (NYPA)
1938-39 New York Jewels (ABL)
1939-40 New York Jewels (ABL)
1940-41 New York Jewels (ABL)
1941-42 New York Jewels (ABL)
1941-42 Wilmington Blue Bombers (ABL)
1941-42 Saratoga (NYSL)
1942-43 Camden Indians (ABL)
1942-43 Harrisburg Senators (ABL)
1942-43 Brooklyn Indians (ABL)
1942-43 Wilmington Clippers (Independent)
1943-44 Brooklyn Indians (ABL)
1943-44 Teterboro Bendix Aviation (Independent)
1944-45 Baltimore Bullets (ABL)
1944-45 Paterson Crescents (ABL) Head coach / player
1944-45 Hartford Pros (Independent)

Born in Austria, Kinsbruner's family came the USA when Mac was young and he grew up in Brooklyn. He played basketball, baseball and football. He enrolled at Syracuse, but quickly transferred to St John's where he was a member of the famous Wonder Five basketball team there. While at St. John's, aside from the three afore-mentioned sports, we also played on the soccer team and ran track. He went with the other member of the basketball team to form the professional squad, the Brooklyn Jewels. The team joined the the ABL in 1933, and Kinsbruner, with his unorthodox shot, would play professionally through the mid-40's. During this time, he was a teacher at Boys HS in Brooklyn. He would go on to own a hotel in Miami before returning to New York, where he died of a heart attack in 1972.

He and his wife, Florence, had two sons and a daughter.

Source:
Brooklyn Daily Eagle - January 6, 1928
Jews In Sports
NY Times Obituary, February 18, 1972

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/mac-kinsbrunner/

Rip Gerson

Jack "Rip" Gerson


Born:
April 6, 1906


Died:
March 2, 1961
New Jersey


Career
1923-24 Commerce High School - New Jersey (High School)
1924-25 Commerce High School - New Jersey (High School)
1927-28 St.John’s University (College) Freshmen
1928-29 St.John’s University (College)
1929-30 St.John’s University (College)
1930-31 St.John’s University (College)
1931-32 Brooklyn Jewels (MBL)
1932-33 Brooklyn Jewels (MBL)
1933-34 Brooklyn Jewels (ABL)
1934-35 New York Jewels (ABL)
1935-36 New York Jewels (ABL)
1936-37 New York Jewels (ABL)
1937-38 Brooklyn Visitations (ABL)
1938-39 New York Jewels (ABL)
1939-40 New York Jewels (ABL)
1941-42 Trenton Tigers (ABL)
1941-42 Albany (NYSL)

Gerson went to Brooklyn Pharmacy College after high school for two years, but then went to St. John's to play basketball. He was a member of SJU's Wonder Five, which lead to the sport's first big scandal. The members of St John's team had also played pro and semi-pro basketball under assumed names. This discovery lead to the ineligibility of members of the team and other New York area players and lead to a tightening in the rules for collegiate athletic eligibility. Gerson signed with the Jewels after leaving St. John's.

After playing professional basketball for a decade, Gerson owned and operated a bar and grill in Newark, New Jersey.

Source:
Jews In Sports

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/rip-gerson/

Matty Begovich

Mathew William Begovich


Born:
October 2, 1910
New Jersey

Died:
November 20, 1966
Miami Beach, FL


Career
1929-30 St. John's University (College)
1930-31 St. John's University (College)
1931-32 Brooklyn Jewels (MBL)
1931-32 Dunsmore (PSL)
1932-33 Brooklyn Jewels (MBL)
1932-33 Philadelpia Moose (EBL)
1932-33 Wilkes-Barre-Freeland (PSL)
1933-34 Brooklyn Jewels (ABL)
1933-34 Tunkhannock (PSL)
1934-35 New York Jewels (ABL)
1934-35 Tunkhannock (PSL)
1934-35 Atlantic City (EBL)
1935-36 New York Jewels (ABL)
1936-37 New York Jewels (ABL)
1937-38 New Haven/New York Jewels (ABL)
1938-39 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)
1938-39 New York Jewels (ABL)
1938-39 Lebanon (TCL)
1946-47 John Marshall College of Law - Jersey City, NJ (College) Head coach
1947-48 John Marshall College of Law - Jersey City, NJ (College) Head coach

A member of the St. John's "Wonder Five", Begovich would spend many seasons in the ABL playing with the Jewels. He was a member of the state bar in New Jersey, and in 1940 quit basketball to work for the FBI. He worked as an executive salesman at U.S. Steel and was on the town council in his hometown of Weehawken, New Jersey, and also was a basketball official at Madison Square Garden for 21 years.

In September of 1966, Begovich suffered a heart attack while in Miami. He never recovered and died that November.

Matty married to Maria Andrich (1915-1996) and they had three sons.

Source:
Central New Jersey Home News, November 22, 1996
Kingston Daily Freeman, November 22, 1966

Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/matty-begovich/

1933-34 Brooklyn Jewels (ABL)

1933-34 BROOKLYN JEWELS
AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE (II)
First Half:
22-6 .786, T-1st place
Second Half:
4-4 .500, 3rd place
Divisional Playoff: Lost to Trenton, 2-0

• Head Coach: Eddie Wilde (June 14, 1895 - March 9, 1984)

PLAYERS:

• Matty Begovich (October 2, 1910 - November 20, 1966)

Biography

• Rip Gerson (April 6, 1906 - March 2, 1961)

Biography

• Mac Kinsbruner (March 21, 1909 - February 16, 1972)

Biography

• Hank Knudsen (September 16, 1905 - November 26, 1974)

Biography 

• Nat Lazar (January 10, 1910 - February 13, 1996)

Biography

• Jack McGuinness (September 10, 1911 - September 14, 1980)

Biography

• Jake Poliskin (February 9, 1912 - July 3, 1972)

Biography

• Mac Posnack (June 23, 1909 - June 30, 1978)

Biography

• Allie Schuckman (November 25, 1907 - April 29, 1982)

Biography

• George Slott (June 9, 1912 - February 22, 1962)

Biography

• Harry Walters  

Biography

Hank Knudsen

Henry K. Knudsen


Born:
September 16, 1905
Brooklyn, NY

Died:
November 26, 1974
Brooklyn, NY


Career
1925-26 Yonkers Leaguers (MBL)
1926-27 Ridgewood/Orange (NLN)
1926-27 Yonkers Leaguers (MBL)
1926-27 Kingston Colonials (MBL)
1927-28 Catskill Howitzers (MBL)
1927-28 Yonkers Indians (Independent)
1928-29 New York Hakoahs (ABL)
1928-29 Paterson Whirlwinds (ABL)
1929-30 New York Celtics (ABL)
1929-30 Wilmington (EBL)
1930-31 Camden-Kennett Square (EBL)
1931-32 Hoboken St. Joseph’s CC (Independent)
1932-33 Long Island Pro Imps (MBL)
1933-34 Brooklyn Jewels (ABL)



Source:


Stats:
http://probasketballencyclopedia.com/player/hank-knudsen/