Johnny Sebastian

John T. Sebastian, Jr.


Born:
November 20, 1921
Odin, IL

Died:
April 26, 2003
Champaign, IL


Career
1936-37 Odin High School - Illinois (High School)
1937-38 Odin High School - Illinois (High School)
1938-39 Salem High School - Illinois (High School)
1941-42 Southern Illinois University (College)
1942-43 Southern Illinois University (College)
1946-47 Southern Illinois University (College)
1947-48 Syracuse Nationals (NBL)
1947-48 St. Paul Saints (PBLA)
1948-49 Detroit Vagabond Kings (NBL)
1948-49 Hammond Calumet Buccaneers (NBL)
House of David (Independent)
1949-50 Detroit Vagabond Kings (Independent)
1949-50 Boston Whirlwinds (Independent)
1950-51 Detroit Vagabond Kings (Independent)
1950-51 Boston Whirlwinds (Independent)
1951-52 Boston Whirlwinds (Independent) 
1951-52 Chicago Majors (Independent) 
1952-53 Lakeview High School - Decatur, Illinois (High School) - Head coach

Born to John (1896-1948) and Anna (1898-1941) Sebastian. His collegiate career was interrupted by his service in the U.S. Navy. After, he played basketball professionally for many years, both in the NBL and with various touring and barnstorming teams. He quit playing to coach at Lakeview, and after a year there, he moved over Maine Township High School to teach (and maybe coach?).

At one time, he held a Guinness Record for hitting 63 consecutive free-throws while blindfolded.

He married Marie Petek.



Source:
Southern Illinoisian (Carbondale) July 3, 1952
http://salemwildcathalloffame.com/1988/john-sebastian/
Ancestry

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/s/sebasjo01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=sebasjo01

Milt Schoon

Milton Wilbur Schoon


Born:
February 25, 1922
Gary, IN

Died:
January 25, 2015
Janesville, WI


Career
1937-38 Calumet High School - Gary, IN (High School)
1938-39 Calumet High School - Gary, IN (High School)
1939-40 Calumet High School - Gary, IN (High School)
1943-44 Valparaiso University (College)
1944-45 Valparaiso University (College)
1945-46 Valparaiso University (College)
1945-46 Anderson Packers (Independent)
1946-47 Detroit Falcons (BAA)
1947-48 Flint/Midland Dow A.C.'s (NBL)
1947-48 Gary Ingots (Independent)
1948-49 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)
1949-50 Sheboygan Redskins (NBA)
1950-51 Denver Refiners (NPBL)
1950-51 Marion Independents (Independent)
1951-52 Sheboygan Redskins (Independent)

The 6'10 basketball player went to Valpo where he was on, what was called at the time, The World's Tallest Team. He was too tall to serve in the military, despite trying every branch. After his basketball days he went to work at International Harvester.

He married Marjorie Ormes (d. 2013) on June 1, 1947. They had two sons.


Source:
Obituary, Sheboygan Press
NWI Times, Milt the Stilt, Oct 13, 1999
NWI Times, World's Tallest Team, Jan 28, 2015



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/s/schoomi01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/schoomi01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=schoomi01

Ted Scalissi

Theodore Glenn Scalissi


Born:
October 26, 1921
Madison, WI

Died:
January 6, 1987
Janesville, WI


Career
1937-38 Central High School - Madison, WI (High School)
1938-39 Central High School - Madison, WI (High School)
1939-40 Central High School - Madison, WI (High School)
1940-41 Ripon College - Wisconsin (College)
1941-42 Ripon College - Wisconsin (College)
1942-43 Ripon College - Wisconsin (College)
1946-47 Ripon College - Wisconsin (College)
1946-47 Oshkosh All-Stars (Independent)
1947-48 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1947-48 Beaver Dam Olo Soap (Independent)

Scalissi served three years in the U.S. Army during World War 2, receiving a Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Silver Star while seeing combat in the European Theater. He played football and basketball at Ripon, as well as running track. Aside from playing for Oshkosh, he also played pro football for the Chicago Rockets. He later worked many years as a teacher and coach, and was a well-respected basketball official in Wisconsin high school athletics.

He married Betty Blanchar (1923-2002) on January 19, 1946, and they had two sons and two daughters.

Pro Football Stats:
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/ScalTe20.htm

Source:
Ripon Hall of Fame
Grave / Obituary
Betty's Obituary

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/s/scalith01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=scalite01

Abel Rodrigues

Abel Joseph Rodrigues, Jr.


Born:
January 16, 1922
San Jose, CA

Died:
July 17, 2010
Saratoga, CA


Career
San Jose High School - California (High School)
Occidental JC (College) ??
1941-42 Salinas JC - California (College)
1946-47 University of San Francisco (College) ??
1947-48 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1947-48 St. Paul Saints (PBLA)
1947-48 Portland Indians (PCBL)

Born in San Jose to Abel and Mary Rodrigues, Rodrigues was a natural athlete, playing basketball and baseball in college and in the military. He attended Salinas Junior College (now known as Hartnell College) before entering the service. He allegedly went to USF once out of the military but he does not appear on their all-time roster, and I haven't found any evidence yet putting him at USF except for his obituary.


He enjoyed golf and fast-pitch softball, as well as coaching kids, and worked in the concrete and construction materials business in California.

Abel was married to Sandy in 1950, and they had a son, Brian, and a daughter, Sharon.

Source:
Obituary, San Jose Mercury News

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/r/rodriab01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=bakerbo01

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

Ocie Richie

Ocie Eldridge Richie


Born:
November 16, 1921
Natchitoches, LA

Died:
February 5, 2012
Jennings, LA


Career
1944-45 University of Arkansas (College)
1945-46 Northwestern Louisiana State (College)
1946-47 Northwestern Louisiana State (College) 
1947-48 Rochester Royals (NBL)
1947-48 Memphis Legionnaires (SPBL)
1947-48 Mobile Bears (SPBL)
1952-53 Cobb's Barbeque - Shreveport, Lousiana (Independent)
1953-54 Flying Red Horses - Ringgold, Lousiana (Independent)

Born to Louis and Susie Richie, Ocie put in one year at NW Louisiana before entering the U.S. Navy
for World War 2. He was discharged and attended the University of Arkansas. He spent one season these before returning to his home town to go to NW Louisiana State. He signed with the Rochester Royals in September on 1947. He continued to play basketball while becoming a teacher for many years.





Source:
Northwest Arkansas Times, (Fayetteville, Arkansas), September 22, 1947
Monroe News-Star, September 19, 1947
Monroe Morning World, December 7, 1952
Monroe News-Star, January 27, 1954
Obit, Shreveport Times, Feb 12, 2012

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/r/richioc01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=richioc01

Ray Ramsey

Raymond Leroy Ramsey


Born:
July 18, 1921
Springfield, IL

Died:
August 25, 2009
Springfield, IL


Career
1937-38 Lanphier High School - Springfield (High School)
1938-39 Lanphier High School - Springfield (High School)
1939-40 Lanphier High School - Springfield (High School)
1940-41 Bradley University (College)
1941-42 Bradley University (College)
1946-47 Bradley University (College)
1947-48 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBL)
1948-49 Baltimore Bullets (BAA)
Lanphier High School - Springfield, Illinois (High School) Coach

Born to Robert and Minnie Ramsey in Springfield, Illinois, Ramsey ran track and played football basketball at Bradley. His collegiate career interrupted by four years in World War 2, he returned to finish school before a career in athletics. Aside from two seasons of pro basketball, he also played for seven years in the NFL and AAFC, mainly with the Chicago Cardinals, and another three in the Canadian Football League. He later taught and coached back at Lanphier High School. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 1991, and died a few months after a fall at his nursing home.

He married Elsie Krieger (d. 2002) on June 10, 1955 and they had three sons.




NFL and AAFC Stats:
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RamsRa20.htm

Source:
State Journal Register Obituary
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/sj-r/obituary.aspx?n=raymond-l-ramsey&pid=131922152

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/r/ramsera01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/ramsera01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=ramsera01

Roy Pugh

Roy Travis Pugh


Born:
October 16, 1922
Jacksonville, TX

Died:
August 3, 2006
Jacksonville, TX


Career
1940-41 Athens High School - Texas (High School)
1942-43 Southern Methodist University (College)
1944-45 Fredericks Academy Air Force Falcons (Military)
1946-47 Southern Methodist University (College)
1947-48 Southern Methodist University (College)
1947-48 Indianapolis Kautskys (NBL)
1948-49 Indianapolis Jets (BAA)
1948-49 Fort Wayne Pistons (BAA)
1948-49 Philadelphia Warriors (BAA)
1951-52 Athens High School - Texas (High School) Head coach

Born to Arthur and Rosa Pugh in Jacksonville, Texas.

Pugh served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War 2, joining in February of 1943.

Pugh was married (and eventually divorced) Gloria, and they had three sons and a daughter.


Source:
Grave and Obit
Corsicana Semi-Weekley Light, August 24, 1951

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/p/pughro01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/pughro01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=pughro01

Jim Pollard

James Clifford Pollard


Born:
July 9, 1922
Oakland, CA

Died:
January 22, 1993
Lodi, CA


Career
1937-38 Oakland Technical - California (High School)
1938-39 Oakland Technical - California (High School)
1940-41 Stanford University (College)
1941-42 Stanford University (College)
1944-45 Coast Guard Cutters (Military)
1945-46 San Diego Dons (ABL-AAU)
1946-47 Oakland Bittners (ABL-AAU)
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)
1954-55 Minneapolis Lakers (NBA)
1955-56 La Salle University (College) Head Coach
1956-57 La Salle University (College) Head Coach
1957-58 La Salle University (College) Head Coach 
1959-60 Minneapolis Lakers (NBA) Head Coach
1961-62 Chicago Packers (NBA) Head Coach
1967-68 Minnesota Muskies (ABA) Head Coach
1968-69 Miami Floridians (ABA) Head Coach
1969-70 Miami Floridians (ABA) Head Coach
Florida Atlantic University (College) Head Coach


NATIONAL BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME, 1978 


One of those most highly-touted high school athletes at his time, he graduated from Oakland Tech in January of 1940 but was not eligible to play for Tech in 1939-40. He went to Stanford for a few years before joining the U.S. Coast Guard. After his service to his country, he played professionally in the west coast's version of the American Basketball League before heading east to join the Lakers. With the Lakers, he became one of the best players in the NBA, before retiring to coach, both at the collegiate and professional level.

A lot of places say he coached at Florida Atlantic for a couple seasons after leaving the Floridians, but Florida Atlantic didn't field an intercollegiate basketball program until 1988.

He married Arilee Hansen (1923-2016) in 1944 and they had four children.

Source:
Oakland Tribune, March 1, 1939

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/p/pollaja01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/pollaji01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=pollaji01

Ray Patterson

Raymond Albert Patterson, Jr.


Born:
January 15, 1922
Lafayette, IN

Died:
August 3, 2011
Sugarland, TX


Career
1937-38 Wayland Academy - Beaver Dam, Wisconsin (High School)
1938-39 Wayland Academy - Beaver Dam, Wisconsin (High School)
1939-40 Wayland Academy - Beaver Dam, Wisconsin (High School)
1941-42 University of Wisconsin (College) Freshman
1942-43 University of Wisconsin (College)
1943-44 University of Wisconsin (College)
1944-45 University of Wisconsin (College)
1945-46 Midland Dow (Independent)
1946-47 Midland Dow (Independent)
1947-48 Flint/Midland Dow A.C.'s (NBL)
1948-49 Beaver Dam Olo Soap (Independent)
1948-49 Wayland Academy - Beaver Dam, Wisconsin (High School) Head Coach
1949-50 Fond du Lac Rockets (WSBL)
1949-50 Wayland Academy - Beaver Dam, Wisconsin (High School) Head Coach
1950-51 Wayland Academy - Beaver Dam, Wisconsin (High School) Head Coach
1950-51 Fond du Lac Rockets (WSBL)
1951-52 Sheboygan (Independent)
1951-52 Wayland Academy - Beaver Dam, Wisconsin (High School) Head Coach
1952-53 Wayland Academy - Beaver Dam, Wisconsin (High School) Head Coach
1953-54 Wayland Academy - Beaver Dam, Wisconsin (High School) Head Coach

Born to Ray and Corhea Patterson in Lafayette, Indiana, Patterson played basketball, football and ran track at Wayland and later at basketball and track at UW. He served briefly in the military during World War 2, and returned to play basketball professionally for a season while finishing his education. He went on to teach and coach at his alma mater, Wayland.

In 1968, he was the first president of the Milwaukee Bucks. He later moved on to run the Houston Rockets, turning the franchise into a very successful one.

He married Ruth Eloise Gould (b. 1921) in 1945 and they had five children.

Source:
Obituary, Houston Chronicle

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/p/pattera01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=pattera01

Mule O'Shields

Garland Lee "Mule" O'Shields


Born:
May 23, 1921
Danville, VA

Died:
January 17, 2001
Houston, TX


Career
Spartnburg High School - South Carolina (High School)
Spartanburg JC - South Carolina (College)
1944-45 University of Tennessee (College)
1945-46 University of Tennessee (College)
1946-47 Chicago Stags (BAA)
1947-48 Syracuse Nationals (NBL)
1947-48 Mohawk Redskins (NYSL)

Some places say he was born in Spartanburg. Although he most definitely grew up in Spartanburg, Social Security records say he was born in Danville, Virginia.
He went to Spartanburg Junior College before transferring to Tennessee where he wound up captain of the basketball team. He played professional basketball for a couple years, as well as playing semi-pro and minor league baseball for a few years.

He was married to Lillian Davis (1926-1986) and had two sons and two daughters.


Minor League Baseball Stats
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=oshiel001gar

Source:


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/o/oshiega01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=oshiega01

Bob O'Shaughnessy

Robert Arthur O'Shaughnessy


Born:
February 2, 1921
San Jose, CA

Died:
September 5, 1995
Lihue, HI


Career
McClatchy High School - Sacramento, CA (High School)
1941-42 University of Nevada (College)
1942-43 University of Nevada (College)
1945-46 University of Nevada (College)
1946-47 University of Nevada (College)
1947-48 Syracuse Nationals (NBL)
1947-48 Utica Olympics (NYSL)

His family moved to Reno after Bob finished high school. His collegiate career was interrupted with service in the Army Air Corps, where as a pilot he saw action in the Philippines. He went back to school, and received offers to sign to play baseball with the Brooklyn Dodgers, but he turned it down to stay at school.
He was married to Carol and they moved to Kauai in Hawaii, where Bob operated a restaurant. A lot of their house had been destroyed in Hurrican Iniki in 1993. Bob died there in 1995 following a lengthy illness.

Source:
Nevada State Journal, March 17, 1946
Reno Gazette-Journal, February 19, 1946
Reno Gazette-Journal, October 31, 1984
Reno Gazette-Journal, September 17, 1995

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/o/oshaubo01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=oshaubo01

Paul Napolitano

Paul Walter Napolitano


Born:
February 3, 1923
Clayton, CA

Died:
June 22, 1997
Pacheco, CA


Career
1939-40 McClymonds High School - Oakland, CA(High School)
1940-41 McClymonds High School - Oakland, CA(High School)
1942-43 San Francisco (College)
1943-44 Alameda Coast Guard Sealions (Military)
1945-46 San Francisco Dardis Dandies (ABL-AAU)
1946-47 Oakland Bittners (ABL-AAU)
1947-48 Minneapolis Lakers (NBL)
1948-49 Indianapolis Jets (NBA)

He married Pauline Woznick (1916-1997) and had two children. In June of 1997, a fire in their mobile home took both their lives. 

Source:
Oakland Tribune, February 24, 1941
San Mateo Times, February 18, 1946
Bakersfield CalifornianNevada State Journal, March 9, 1947

San Francisco Examiner, June 23, 1997



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/n/napolpa01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/napolpa01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=napolpa01

Fritz Nagy

Frederick Karl "Fritz" Nagy


Born:
January 3, 1924
Akron, OH

Died:
June 5, 1989
Akron, OH


Career
1939-40 South High School - Akron, Ohio (High School)
1940-41 South High School - Akron, Ohio (High School)
1941-42 South High School - Akron, Ohio (High School)
1942-43 University of North Carolina (College) Freshman
1943-44 University of Akron (College)
1944-45 University of Akron (College)
1946-47 University of Akron (College)
1947-48 Indianapolis Kautskys (NBL)
1947-48 Chicago Gears (PBLA)
1948-49 Indianapolis Jets (BAA)
1950-51 Grand Rapids Hornets (NPBL)

Nagy spent one year at UNC before transferring back home to UA. Classified by the draft board as 4-F due to flat feet, he was eventually inducted in the U.S. Navy in March of 1945. However, continued problems with his feet got him released from duty and he returned to college before moving on the a few seasons of professional basketball. He died in 1989 following a lengthy illness.

He was married to LaDean and had one daughter, Carol.

Source:
Daily Tar Heel, January 8, 1943
Akron Beacon Journal, January 30, 1946
Akron Beacon Journal, June 6, 1989
Akron Beacon Journal, June 8, 1989



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/n/nagyfr01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nagyfr01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=nagyfr01

Ken Menke

Kenneth Howard Menke


Born:
October 2, 1922
East Dundee, IL

Died:
September 2, 2002
Elgin, IL


Career
1937-38 Dundee High School - Illinois (High School)
1938-39 Dundee High School - Illinois (High School)
1939-40 Dundee High School - Illinois (High School)
1940-41 University of Illinois (College)
1941-42 University of Illinois (College)
1942-43 University of Illinois (College)
1946-47 Fort Wayne Pistons (Independent)
1947-48 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)
1949-50 Waterloo Hawks (NBA)
1950-51 Galesburg High School - Illinois (High School) Head Coach
1951-52 Galesburg High School - Illinois (High School) Head Coach
1952-53 Galesburg High School - Illinois (High School) Head Coach
1953-54 Galesburg High School - Illinois (High School) Head Coach

Born to Edwin and Frida Menke, Menke starred on the court at Dundee HS and was a member of the "Whiz Kids" team at Illinois, which was broken up in 1943 by World War 2. He served in the European Theater and played professionally briefly before teaching and coaching high school. He later joined with his brother and father to work with the family building business.

He was married to Betty Naker (d.1976) and had thee kids, Charlotte, Scott and Eric. He remarried in 1978, to Janette Bazsali.

Source:
Obituary, Daily Herald, September 4, 2002

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/menkeke01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/menkeke01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=menkeke01

Dick Mehen

Richard Peter Mehen


Born:
May 20, 1922
Wheeling, WV

Died:
December 14, 1986
Westlake, OH


Career
Wheeling High School - West Virginia (High School)
1941-42 University of Tennessee (College)
1942-43 University of Tennessee (College)
1946-47 University of Tennessee (College)
1947-48 Toledo Jeeps (NBL)
1948-49 Waterloo Hawks (NBL)
1949-50 Waterloo Hawks (NBA)
1950-51 Baltimore Bullets (NBA)
1950-51 Boston Celtics (NBA)
1950-51 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA)
1951-52 Milwaukee Hawks (NBA)
1952-53 Toledo Mercurys (Independent)


His brother Bernie played with him at Tennessee as well as with the Toledo Jeeps.

Source:
Courier Journal (Louisville), February 28, 1943
Reno-Gazette Journal, January 10, 1953

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/mehenri01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mehendi01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mehendi01

John Mandic

John Joseph Mandic


Born:
October 3, 1919
Los Angeles, CA

Died:
June 22, 2003
Portland, OR


Career
1935-36 Roosevelt High School - Los Angeles (High School)
1936-37 Roosevelt High School - Los Angeles (High School)
1937-38 Roosevelt High School - Los Angeles (High School)
1939-40 Oregon State University (College)
1940-41 Oregon State University (College)
1941-42 Oregon State University (College)
1942-43 Vancouver Ramblers (Independent)
1946-47 Portland Indians (PCBL)
1947-48 Rochester Royals (NBL)
1948-49 Indianapolis Jets (BAA)
1949-50 Washington Capitols (NBA)
1949-50 Baltimore Bullets (NBA)

Mandic was a basketball and track star (high jump) at Roosevelt and OSU. He served in the army during World War 2.
His brother Frank also played basketball at OSU and later with the Portland Indians with John. He later worked as an officer and supervisor in for the Orgeon Department of Corrections.

He married to Jeannette Johnson (d.2000) in 1943 and they had a son, John, and a daughter, Patricia.

Source:
Helms Basketball Annual 1938
Roosevelt High School Notable Alums
Obituary, The Oregonian, July 1, 2003

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/mandijo01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mandijo01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mandijo01

Joe Lord

Joseph Thomas Lord, Jr.


Born:
December 28, 1922
Norristown, PA

Died:
December 1986
Absecon, NJ


Career
1939-40 Norristown High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1941-42 Villanova University (College)
1942-43 Villanova University (College)
1945-46 Villanova University (College)
1946-47 Villanova University (College)
1947-48 Rochester Royals (NBL)
1947-48 Reading Keys (EPBL)
1948-49 Reading / Allentown Keys (EPBL)
1949-50 Reading Keys (EPBL)
1950-51 Reading Rangers (EPBL)
1950-51 Pottsville Packers (EPBL)
1951-52 Lancaster Rockets (EPBL)

Born to Joseph and Anna Lord.
Lord left school in winter of 1943 to serve in the military.

Source:
Harrisburg Telegraph, February 26, 1943

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/l/lordjo01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=lordjo01

Wally Lautenbach

Walter Henry Lautenbach, Jr.


Born:
November 17, 1922
Milwaukee, WI

Died:
September 9, 1997
Wildwood, FL


Career
Plymouth High School - Wisconsin (High School)
1941-42 University of Wisconsin (College)
1946-47 University of Wisconsin (College)
1947-48 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1948-49 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1949-50 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)

Born in Milwaukee but raised in Plymouth, Wisconsin. Lautenbach played both baseball and basketball while at Wisconsin.

Source:


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/l/lautewa01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lautewa01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=lautewa01

Hal Korovin

Harold Korovin


Born:
April 19, 1925
Brooklyn, NY

Died:
June 5, 2021
Boca Raton, FL


Career
1943-44 CCNY (College)
1944-45 CCNY (College)
1945-46 New York Gothams (ABL)
1945-46 Dunmore (PSL)
1945-46 Pitston (PSL)
1945-46 Long Island Bombers (Independent)
1945-46 New York Jewels (Independent)
1946-47 Paterson Crescents (ABL)
1946-47 Allentown Rockets (EPBL)
1946-47 Mohawk Redskins (NYSL)
1946-47 Troy Celtics (ABL)
1947-48 Flint/Midland Dow A.C.'s (NBL)
1947-48 Hazleton Mountaineers (EPBL)
1948-49 Mohawk Redskins (NYSL)
1948-49 Kokoko Clowns (Independent)
1949-50 Long Island Bombers (Independent)
1949-50 Kokoko Clowns (Independent)
1949-50 Berwick Car-Builders (EPBL)
1949-50 Danbury Fedoras (EBL-Ct)
1949-50 Long Island Bombers (Semi-pro)
1949-50 Brooklyn All-Stars (Independent) 

Born to David and Gertrude Korovin in Brooklyn, Hal went to CCNY before playing basketball professionally for a few years. He eventually moved down to Florida to enjoy his golden years.

Hal's daughter, Gwen, received a lot of press with the death of comedian Joan Rivers. A well-respected doctor-to-the-stars, Gwen was the doctor performing the laryngoscopy on Rivers when she went into cardiac arrest, and situation that claimed Rivers' life a few days later.

Source:
Morning News (Wilmington, DE), October 24, 1945
Article about Dr. Gwen Korovin, Hal's Daughter
Jews In Sports

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/k/korovha01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=korovha01

Bob Kitterman

Robert Eugene Kitterman


Born:
April 2, 1923
Ottumwa, IA

Died:
November 14, 2000
Guthrie Center, IA


Career
1938-39 Burlington High School - Iowa (High School)
1939-40 Burlington High School - Iowa (High School)
1940-41 Burlington High School - Iowa (High School)
1941-42 Burlington JC (College)
1945-46 Worcester (NEBL)
1945-46 Fitchburg PAMCOs (NEBL)
1946-47 Fitchburg PAMCOs (NEBL)
1947-48 Syracuse Nationals (NBL)
1948-49 Fitchburg Irish-Americans (Independent)

Born to Ben and Daisy Kitterman in Ottumwa, Iowa, Kitterman grew up in Burlington, where he attended high school and college. After serving in the military, Kitterman played basketball professionally with Fitchburg and then the Syracuse Nationals. He served in the military during World War 2.

Source:
Fitchburg Sentinel, January 24, 1947

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/k/kittero01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=kittebo01

Walt Kirk

Walton Denny Kirk, Jr.


Born:
September 3, 1924
Mt. Vernon, IL

Died:
December 12, 2012
Dubuque, IA


Career
1940-41 Mt. Vernon High School - Illinois (High School)
1941-42 Mt. Vernon High School - Illinois (High School)
1943-44 University of Illinois (College)
1944-45 University of Illinois (College)
1946-47 University of Illinois (College)
1947-48 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)
1948-49 Fort Wayne Pistons (BAA)
1948-49 Indianapolis Jets (BAA)
1949-50 Anderson Packers (NBA)
1949-50 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBA)
1950-51 Kansas City Hi-Spots (NPBL)
1951-52 Milwaukee Hawks (NBA)
1951-52 Sheboygan Red Skins (Independent)
1951-52 Harvard High School - Illinois (High School) Head Coach
1952-53 Salem High School - Illinois (High School) Head Coach
1953-54 Salem High School - Illinois (High School) Head Coach
1954-55 Salem High School - Illinois (High School) Head Coach
1955-56 Salem High School - Illinois (High School) Head Coach
1956-57 Salem High School - Illinois (High School) Head Coach
1957-58 Salem High School - Illinois (High School) Head Coach
1958-59 Salem High School - Illinois (High School) Head Coach
1959-60 Salem High School - Illinois (High School) Head Coach 
1960-61 Senior High School - Dubuque, IA (High School) Head Coach
1961-62 Senior High School - Dubuque, IA (High School) Head Coach
1962-63 Senior High School - Dubuque, IA (High School) Head Coach
1963-64 Senior High School - Dubuque, IA (High School) Head Coach
1964-65 Senior High School - Dubuque, IA (High School) Head Coach
1965-66 Senior High School - Dubuque, IA (High School) Head Coach
1966-67 Senior High School - Dubuque, IA (High School) Head Coach
1967-68 Senior High School - Dubuque, IA (High School) Head Coach
1968-69 Senior High School - Dubuque, IA (High School) Head Coach
1969-70 Hempstead High School - Dubuque, IA (High School) Head Coach
1970-71 Hempstead High School - Dubuque, IA (High School) Head Coach
1971-72 Hempstead High School - Dubuque, IA (High School) Head Coach
1972-73 Hempstead High School - Dubuque, IA (High School) Head Coach

Born to Walton and Gertrude Kirk, Kirk grew up in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Kirk finished school at Illinois early, and skipped his remaining year of eligibility to sign the the Pistons. He later served as a high school coach for many years. A veteran of World War 2, Kirk died of Parkinson's Disease in 2012.

He was married to Alice "Joan" Kirk and the had a son and a daughter.





Source:
Alton Evening Telegraph, April 16, 1947
Mt. Vernon Register-News, May 12, 1952
Des Moines Register, March 27, 1973
Southern Illinoisian, June 1, 1960
Grave / Obituary

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/k/kirkwa01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kirkwa01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=kirkwa01

Leroy King

Leroy Oliver King


Born:
December 24, 1921
Greeley, CO

Died:
August 8, 2004
Fountain Valley, CA


Career
1943-44 Monmouth University (College)
1944-45 Monmouth University (College)
1945-46 Northwestern University (College)
1946-47 Oklahoma City Continental Airlines (ABL-AAU)
1947-48 Rochester Royals (NBL)
1947-48 West Bend - Wisconsin (Independent)
1947-48 Chicago Shamrocks (Independent)
1948-49 Chicago Shamrocks (Independent) 

Originally from Colorado, the highly-recruited 6'7 player went to Monmouth. Injuries limited King to just two games in his first two years, but he recovered and played full season at Monmouth before graduating. He moved on to Northwestern to attend Garrett Bibilical Institute (a seminary), and in one season at NU, finished fourth in the Big 10 in scoring. He moved on to become a pastor and educator in Kansas City, Missouri before returning to Colorado. He died in 2004.

He was married to Mary Margaret and had four children.

Source:
Monmouth Hall of Fame
Galesburg (Illinois) Register-Mail, March 28, 1963
The Rattle of Theta Chi, Volumes 31-36
Obituary

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/k/kingle01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=kingle01

Jimmy Joyce

James Aloysius Joyce


Born:
October 23, 1924
Philadelphia, PA

Died:
October 24, 2006
Wilmington, DE


Career
1939-40 Darby High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1940-41 Darby High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1941-42 Darby High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1943-44 Temple University (College) - Freshmen
1944-45 Temple University (College)
1945-46 Temple University (College)
1946-47 Temple University (College)
1947-48 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBL)
1947-48 Utica Olympics (NYSL)
1948-49 Utica Olympics (NYSL)
1948-49 Reading Keys (EPBL)
1949-50 Lancaster Roses (EPBL)
1950-51 Lancaster Rockets (EPBL)

1951-52 Lancaster Red Roses (EPBL)  

Born to James and Jane Joyce, Jimmy went to Darby High School and Temple before playing pro basketball a few years. He went on to teach physical education in Ferris, Delaware. He worked for many years in the Traffic Department in Hercules, Delaware before retiring in 1979, moving on to work at Elkton Rail Car Repair.
He married Ruth Lynch on October 22, 1949, who died a few months before he did. They had five children.

Source:
Obituary

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/j/joyceji01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=bakerbo01

Johnny Jorgensen

John Jay Jorgensen


Born:
December 28, 1921
Chicago, IL

Died:
January 19, 1973
Charlotte, NC


Career

DePaul University ??
1946-47 College of William & Mary (Virginia)
1947-48 Minneapolis Lakers (NBL)
1947-48 Chicago Stags (BAA)
1947-48 Baltimore Bullets (BAA)
1948-49 Minneapolis Lakers (BAA)
1949-50 Racine Cards (Independent)

Born in Chicago to Thomas and Jesse Jorgensen. He allegedly went to DePaul, but he does not appear on their all-time roster, and I didn't see any newspaper articles mentioning his name as playing with DePaul.

He died of a heart attack in 1973.

He was married to Ruth Engstrom.

Source:


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/j/jorgejo01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jorgejo01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=jorgejo01

Boag Johnson

David Ralph "Boag" Johnson


Born:
December 6, 1921
Huntington, IN

Died:
July 13, 2005
Cleveland, OH


Career
1936-37 Union Center at Huntington County, IN (High School)
1937-38 Union Center at Huntington County, IN (High School)
1938-39 Union Center at Huntington County, IN (High School)
1940-41 Huntington College - Indiana (College)
1945-46 Huntington College - Indiana (College)
1946-47 Huntington College - Indiana (College)
1947-48 Anderson Duffey Packers (NBL)
1948-49 Anderson Duffey Packers (NBL)
1949-50 Anderson Packers (NBA)
1949-50 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA)
1950-51 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA)
1951-52 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA)
1952-53 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA)
1952-53 Columbia City High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1953-54 Columbia City High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1954-55 Columbia City High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1955-56 Columbia City High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1956-57 Columbia City High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1957-58 Columbia City High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1961-62 Warsaw High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1962-63 Warsaw High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1963-64 Warsaw High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1964-65 Warsaw High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1965-66 Warsaw High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1966-67 Warsaw High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1967-68 Warsaw High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1968-69 Warsaw High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1969-70 Warsaw High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1970-71 Warsaw High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1974-75 Elkhart County Pros - Indiana (International Basketball Association) Head coach


In April of 1952, Boag announced her was retiring from the pro game to coach at the high school level. He returned to the Pistons in the 1952-53 season to play a few games, but remained a coach and eventually AD after that. In 1961, he was hired by Warsaw HS as their head coach.
He married MaryEllen Robinson on February 10, 1944 and the had two sons and three daughters.

Source:
Obituary
Indiana Hoops Hall of Fame
Indianapolis Star, July 26, 1961
Journal News (Hamilton, OH), October 23, 1974
Anderson Herald, July 30, 1961

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/j/johnsda01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/johnsra01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=johnsra01

Tony Jaros

Anthony Joseph Jaros


Born:
February 21, 1920
Minneapolis, MN

Died:
April 22, 1995
Minneapolis, MN


Career
Edison High School - Minneapolis (High School)
1941-42 Minnesota (College)
1945-46 Minnesota (College)
1946-47 Chicago Stags (BAA)
1947-48 Minneapolis Lakers (NBL)
1948-49 Minneapolis Lakers (BAA)
1949-50 Minneapolis Lakers (NBA)
1950-51 Minneapolis Lakers (NBA)
1951-52 Minneapolis Poles (Independent)
1951-52 Twin Cities Jerseys (Independent)

Born to Joseph and Tekla Jaros, Tony was a baseball and basketball star at Minnesota. In April of 1946, his eligibility ended, and he signed to play baseball for Minneapolis in the New York Giants farm system, and signed with the Stags for play basketball later that same year. He moved to the Lakers where he played four more seasons. His baseball career never quite flourished, although he lasted a few seasons in the Cardinals' system as well as the Giants'. He later owned a bar in Minneapolis, where he died in 1995. I am pretty sure he served in the military during World War 2, which would explain the interruption in his time at Minnesota. An article in the Coshocton Tribume from Jan 4, 1943, mentions how to Gophers lost Jaros to "the draft" and that is likely the military draft, not a basketball draft.

He was married to Matie and had one son. (Maybe more, but I only know of the one).

Minor League Baseball Stats:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=jaros-001ant

Source:
Coshocton Tribune, January 4, 1943
Indianapolis Star, April 3, 1946


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/j/jarosan01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jarosto01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=jarosto01

John Janisch

John Albert Janisch


Born:
March 15, 1920
Indiana

Died:
August 29, 1992
West Branch, MI


Career
1943-44 Valparaiso University (College)
1944-45 Valparaiso University (College)
1945-46 Valparaiso University (College)
1945-46 Kernal All-Stars (Professional)
1946-47 Detroit Falcons (BAA)
1947-48 Boston Celtcs (BAA)
1947-48 Providence Steamrollers (BAA)
1947-48 Flint/Midland Dow A.C.'s (NBL)

There was a John Janisch who played baseball at Purdue at roughly the same time. Same guy? Relative?

Source:


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/j/janisjo01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/janisjo01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=janisjo01

Bob Hubbard

Robert Cecil Hubbard


Born:
December 27, 1922
Westfield, MA

Died:
August 27, 2011
Holyoke, MA


Career
1937-38 West Springfield High School - Massachusetts (High School)
1938-39 West Springfield High School - Massachusetts (High School)
1939-40 West Springfield High School - Massachusetts (High School)
1940-41 Cushing Academy - Ashburnham, Massachusetts
1941-42 Cushing Academy - Ashburnham, Massachusetts
1946-47 Hartford Pros (NEL)
1946-47 Fitchburg PAMCOS (Independent)
1947-48 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBL)
1947-48 Providence Steamrollers (BAA)
1948-49 Glens Falls Commodores (NYSL)
1948-49 Providence Steamrollers (BAA)
1948-49 Hartford Hurricanes (ABL)
1949-50 Middletown Guards (EBL-Ct)
1949-50 Hartford Hurricanes (ABL)
1950-51 Hartford Hurricanes (EBL-Ct)
1952-53 Pawtucket Slaters (ABL)

Born in Westfield to Robert and Lucy Hubbard, Hubbard servied in the military during World War 2 before going on to play minor league baseball in the Brooklyn Dodgers system in addition to a couple seasons of professional basketball. He was a coach and parks and recreation worker in West Springfield, and worked as a test engineer at Pratt and Whitney until retiring in 1977.

He married Doris in 1948 and they had two daughters, Nancy and Lynn (d.1956), and three sons, Robert, Gregory and Barry.

Source:
Obituary

Minor League Baseball Stats
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=hubbar001rob

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/h/hubbaro01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hubbabo01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=hubbabo01

Jim Homer

James Powell Homer


Born:
December 5, 1921
Columbus, GA

Died:
October 15, 1992
Livingston, AL


Career
1937-38 Columbus High School - Georgia (High School)
1938-39 Columbus High School - Georgia (High School)
1939-40 Columbus High School - Georgia (High School)
1940-41 University of Alabama (College)
1941-42 University of Alabama (College)
1942-43 University of Alabama (College)
1945-46 Atlanta Sports (American Basketball Congress)
1946-47 University of Alabama (College)
1947-48 Syracuse Nationals (NBL)
1948-49 Syracuse Nationals (NBL)

Homer served in the U.S. Navy during World War 2.

Source:
Courier-Journal (Louisville), February 26, 1943
Evening News (Harrisburg, PA), March 15, 1946

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/h/homerja01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=homerji01

John Hargis

John Arlington "Shotgun" Hargis


Born:
August 20, 1920
Nacogdoches, TX

Died:
January 2, 1986
Buda, TX


Career
Nacogdoches High School - Texas (High School)
1941-42 University of Texas (College)
1942-43 University of Texas (College)
1946-47 University of Texas (College)
1947-48 Anderson Duffey Packers (NBL)
1948-49 Anderson Duffey Packers (NBL)
1949-50 Anderson Packers (NBA)
1950-51 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA)
1950-51 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBA)

Born to John and Vera Mae Hargis in Nacogdoches, Texas. His time at UT was interrupted by his service in the war effort. After college, he played for Anderson before playing with Fort Wayne and TC.


Source:
The Eagle (Bryan, TX), January 18, 1943
Corsicana Daily Sun (Texas), March 12, 1946

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/h/hargijo01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hargijo01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=hargijo01

Cecil Hankins

Cecil Orgus Hankins


Born:
January 6, 1922
Covin, AL

Died:
June 3, 2002
Sand Springs, OK


Career
Zaneis Consolidate High School - Ardmore, OK (High School)
1941-42 Southeastern Oklahoma State - (College)
1942-43 Southeastern Oklahoma State - (College) 
1944-45 Oklahoma A&M - (College)
1945-46 Oklahoma A&M - (College)
1946-47 St. Louis Bombers (BAA)
1947-48 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)
1947-48 Boston Celtics (BAA)
1949-50 Sand Springs High School - Oklahoma (High School) - Head coach
1950-51 Sand Springs High School - Oklahoma (High School) - Head coach
1951-52 Sand Springs High School - Oklahoma (High School) - Head coach
1952-53 Sand Springs High School - Oklahoma (High School) - Head coach
1953-54 Sand Springs High School - Oklahoma (High School) - Head coach
1954-55 Sand Springs High School - Oklahoma (High School) - Head coach
1955-56 Sand Springs High School - Oklahoma (High School) - Head coach
1956-57 Sand Springs High School - Oklahoma (High School) - Head coach
1957-58 Sand Springs High School - Oklahoma (High School) - Head coach
1958-59 Sand Springs High School - Oklahoma (High School) - Head coach
1959-60 Sand Springs High School - Oklahoma (High School) - Head coach
1960-61 Sand Springs High School - Oklahoma (High School) - Head coach
1961-62 Sand Springs High School - Oklahoma (High School) - Head coach
1962-63 Sand Springs High School - Oklahoma (High School) - Head coach
1963-64 Sand Springs High School - Oklahoma (High School) - Head coach
1964-65 Sand Springs High School - Oklahoma (High School) - Head coach

Hankins played basketball and football at Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University) and Southeastern Okla. State. (He also ran track.) He was drafted by the Boston Yanks to play professional football, but chose to play basketball instead. He later coached and officiated high school football and basketball before opening a car dealership in Sand Springs in 1965. He returned to education in 1980.

Cecil was married to Wanda and had one daughter.

Source:
Durant Daily Democrat, June 9, 2002

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/h/hankice01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hankice01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=hankice01

Ralph Hamilton

Ralph Albert Hamilton


Born:
June 10, 1921
Fort Wayne, IN

Died:
June 5, 1983
Fort Wayne, IN


Career
1938-39 Fort Wayne South High School - Indiana (High School)
1939-40 Fort Wayne South High School - Indiana (High School)
1941-42 Indiana University (College)
1942-43 Indiana University (College)
1946-47 Indiana University (College)
1947-48 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (NBL)
1948-49 Fort Wayne Pistons (BAA)
1948-49 Indianapolis Jets (BAA)
1949-50 Fort Wayne Becks (Independent)
1950-51 Kansas City Hi-Spots (NPBL)

A basketball star at Fort Wayne South, he entered Indiana University but his schooling was interrupted by World War 2.
Married to Anita Lunsford (1923-1998). His brother Dale also played basketball professionally.

Source:
Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/h/hamilra01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hamilra01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=hamilra01