Mally (Morris) Johnson Identified

A newspaper article from 1931 mentioned his hometown, and it was easy from there.

Mally Johnson
1908-1969

Milestone #1

It took over a year (I started this blog on July 2, 2015), but I have finished going through every season of the NBL and identified all that I could. I will now go back and go through some of the mystery players with fresh eyes, and access to new sources of data that I did not have when I started, so hopefully I will be able to gain more information on the identities of some of these mystery players of the NBL. I will also update the pages to make them look a little better and add more pictures if I can find them. I will only add post if I identify someone either previously unidentified or incorrectly identified. For things like adding photos, birth places, teams played, etc, I will only update the post and not call it out in a new blogpost. Or maybe I will store those up for one big blog post, I don't know.

But so far, here is the NBL by the numbers:

Number of NBL players:  773
Unidentified/unknown whereabouts: 70
Surviving NBL players: 17 confirmed, with three more who were alive in the last 5 years but not sure if they are still around.

Longevity:
Of the 773 players, 12.68% of the NBL players are known to have lived to see the age of 90. 3.88% died before the age of 50. (I expect the 3.88% to rise some as these unknown players are found. A few of them are probably obscure because they died young.) To compare the same 12 year period with other sports:

MLB Longevity (1938-1949)
Under 50   5.84%
Over 90     12.75%

NFL Longevity (1938-1949)
Under 50   7.95%
Over 90     8.79.%

NHL Longevity (1938-1949)
Under 50   6.96%
Over 90     4.64%

NBL Longevity (1938-1949)
Under 50   3.88%
Over 90     12.68%

Thanks to John Grasso and Jay LaFountaine for their help and support, and to the family members of some players who gave us help.

Paul Yesawich

Paul Joseph Yesawich, Jr.


Born:
November 27, 1923
New York City, NY

Died:
December 13, 2017
New Smyrna Beach, FL


Career
1939-40 Brooklyn Tech - New York (High School)
1940-41 Brooklyn Tech - New York (High School)
1941-42 Niagara University (College)
1942-43 Niagara University (College)
1943-44 Hobart College (College)
1946-47 Niagara University (College)
1947-48 Niagara University (College)
1948-49 Syracuse Nationals (NBL)

Born in New York, Yesawich played basketball at Niagara during which he also served as a Navy Scout (now known as the Navy Seals) in the U.S. Navy during World War 2. During his V-12 training, he played basketball for Hobart College. After graduation from Niagara in 1948, he played with the Nationals briefly while continuing his education at Niagara, graduating with a Masters in 1950. He went on to Cornell Law School and after being admitted to the car, he went into private practice in New York City. In 1955, he moved to Cortland, New York, and became a partner at Folmer, Ryan, Fenstermacher & Yesawich. In 1971, Governor Rockefeller appointed Yesawich to the New York State Supreme Court, and he retired from the bench in 1999. He lived in Homer, New York and currently lives in Florida.

He married Elizabeth Larkin in 1948, and they had three children.

Source:
New York Courts Biography
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, March 29, 1941
Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, NY), January 26, 1944
Troy Record (Troy, NY), January 26, 1944

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/y/yesawpa01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=yesawpa01

Sonny Wood

Robert "Sonny" Wood


Born:
December 31, 1922
New York

Died:
July 11, 1970



Career
1941-42 Benjamin Franklin High School - New York (High School)
1941-42 New York Rens (independent)
1942-43 Washington Bears (independent) 
1943-44 New York Rens (independent)
1945-46 New York Rens (independent)
1946-47 New York Rens (independent)
1947-48 New York Rens (independent)
1948-49 New York Rens (independent)
1948-49 Dayton Rens (NBL)
1949-50 New York Harlem Yankees (ABL)
1950-51 Saratoga Harlem Yankees (ABL)

He served in the army during World War 2.


Source:


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/w/woodro01n.html

http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=woodso01

Eddie Wollen

Elmore "Moe" "Ed" Wollen


Born:
May 1909


Died:




Career
1947-48 Harry Hopkins AVC (Independent)
1947-48 Crescent AC (Independent)
1948-49 Harlem Yankees (NYSL)
1948-49 Dayton Rens (NBL)

Either from Memphis, TN or NYC. No clue to his identity. No one by that name found on ancestry.com that fits.

Updated 5/10/18
Found more articles that refer to him as "Moe" Wollen, and another article called him "Elmore 'Moe' Wollen. From Brooklyn. Better leads, but still no positive identification. Last name could be Wallens, Wollens or shortened from something very length like Waollenschlager. Highly doubtful he is Ed Whalen from LIU, since Whalen played at LIU in 1948-49.

Updated 10/22/19
Saw he is listed as Elmore "More" Woolen, born to George and Francis Woolen in North Carolina in 1909. Brother John, Sister Hanner (or Hannes)




Source:


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/w/wolleed01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=wolleed01

Kayo Wnorowski

Casmier Valentine Wnorowski 
aka Casmier Wayner, Casmier Waner, Chuck Waner, Kayo Waner


Born:
October 4, 1921
Schenectady, NY

Died:
April 15, 1998
Schenectady ??, NY


Career
Mount Pleasant High School - Schenectady, NY (High School)
1942-43 Siena College - New York (College)
1946-47 Schenectady Comets (NYSL)
1947-48 Schenectady Comets (NYSL)
1948-49 Schenectady Comets (NYSL) 
1948-49 Denver Nuggets (NBL)

Born in Upstate New York to Polish immigrants Konstanty and Frances Wnorowski.

Served in the U.S. Army during World War 2.

Source:


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/w/wnoroca01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=wnoroka01

Murray Wier

Murray Neal Wier


Born:
December 12, 1926
Grand View, IA

Died:
April 6, 2016
Georgetown, TX




Career
1941-42 Grandview High School - Iowa (High School) ??
1942-43 Grandview High School - Iowa (High School) ??
1943-44 Muscatine High School - Iowa (High School)
1944-45 University of Iowa (College)
1945-46 University of Iowa (College)
1946-47 University of Iowa (College)
1947-48 University of Iowa (College)
1948-49 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBL)
1949-50 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBA)
1950-51 Waterloo Hawks (NPBL)
1951-52 Waterloo East High School - Iowa (High School) JV Head coach
1952-53 Waterloo East High School - Iowa (High School) Head coach
1953-54 Waterloo East High School - Iowa (High School) Head coach
1954-55 Waterloo East High School - Iowa (High School) Head coach
1955-56 Waterloo East High School - Iowa (High School) Head coach
1956-57 Waterloo East High School - Iowa (High School) Head coach
1957-58 Waterloo East High School - Iowa (High School) Head coach
1958-59 Waterloo East High School - Iowa (High School) Head coach
1959-60 Waterloo East High School - Iowa (High School) Head coach
1960-61 Waterloo East High School - Iowa (High School) Head coach
1961-62 Waterloo East High School - Iowa (High School) Head coach
1962-63 Waterloo East High School - Iowa (High School) Head coach
1963-64 Waterloo East High School - Iowa (High School) Head coach
1964-65 Waterloo East High School - Iowa (High School) Head coach
1965-66 Waterloo East High School - Iowa (High School) Head coach
1966-67 Waterloo East High School - Iowa (High School) Head coach
1967-68 Waterloo East High School - Iowa (High School) Head coach
1968-69 Waterloo East High School - Iowa (High School) Head coach
1969-70 Waterloo East High School - Iowa (High School) Head coach
1970-71 Waterloo East High School - Iowa (High School) Head coach
1971-72 Waterloo East High School - Iowa (High School) Head coach
1972-73 Waterloo East High School - Iowa (High School) Head coach
1973-74 Waterloo East High School - Iowa (High School) Head coach
1974-75 Waterloo East High School - Iowa (High School) Head coach
1975-76 Waterloo East High School - Iowa (High School) Head coach


Wier was born and raised in Grand View, and attended nearby Muscatine High School. A four-year starter at Iowa, he played professional basketball for three seasons. He went to be a very successful head coach at Waterloo East, compiling a 372-149 record. He was also the athletic director there.

Source:
Obituary
WCF Courier Obituary

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/w/wiermu01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/wiermu01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=wiermu01

Jack Watkins

Jack Austin Watkins


Born:
October 27, 1923
Drumright, OK

Died:
May 22, 1998
Tecumseh, OK


Career
Tribbey High School - Oklahoma (High School)
1946-47 University of Oklahoma (College)
1947-48 Oklahoma City Drillers (PBLA)
1947-48 Seattle Athletics (PCBL)
1948-49 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)
1948-49 Montgomery Rebels (SPBL)

Born to Carl and Kate Watkins in Drumright, Oklahoma.He played baseball and basketball in high school,and then went on to pitch at University of Oklahoma. He served in the USMC during World War 2, working as a radio operator in the Pacific before being stationed in China. He returned to Oklahoma, playing on their Final Four team in 1947. He played for the Drillers and Redskins (and maybe the Athletics... not sure) before getting a teaching degree at East Central University. He taught and coached at Macomb High School and later worked as a county cleark and junior engineer for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.


Minor League Baseball Stats

He married Christena Adams in 1948 and they had two sons.

Source:
Grave and Obit

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/w/watkija01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=watkija01

Dave Wareham

David Moran Wareham


Born:
June 18, 1924
Iowa

Died:
June 2, 1985
Denver, CO


Career
1939-40 Loras Academy - Dubuque, IA (High School)
1940-41 Loras Academy - Dubuque, IA (High School)
1943-44 Loras College - Iowa (College)
1944-45 Loras College - Iowa (College)
1946-47 Loras College - Iowa (College)
1947-48 Loras College - Iowa (College)
1948-49 Waterloo Hawks (NBL)

Born to Harry and Lillian Kress Wareham. Wareham went to both Loras Academt and Loras College where he starred in basketball as well as track.

Source:


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/w/warehda01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=warehda01

Jack Walton

Jack D. Walton


Born:
May 19, 1926
Newton Falls, OH

Died:
December 17, 1952
Fort Wayne, IN


Career
1943-44 East Union High School - Indiana (High School)
1945-46 Fort Wayne (independent)
1946-47 House of David (barnstorming)
1947-48 House of David (barnstorming)
1948-49 Anderson Duffey Packers (NBL)
1948-49 House of David (barnstorming)
1950-51 Anderson Packers (NPBL)
Indiana Clark Twins (unknown)

A native of Newton Falls, Ohio, Walton went to East Union High School where he was a basketball star. He served three years in the army. He caught on with the House of David team, and played a few season with the Packers. He took a job with Fox Construction Company in 1949, and in December of 1952, he was killed on a construction site when a tree being uprooted by a bulldozer fell on him. He was only 26. He left behind a wife, Freda, and a young daughter.


Source:
Anderson Herald, December 19, 1952

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/w/waltoja01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=waltoja01

Jim Usry

James Leroy Usry


Born:
February 2, 1922
Athens, GA

Died:
January 25, 2002
Atlantic City, NJ


Career
1938-39 Atlantic City High School - New Jersey (High School)
1941-42 Lincoln University - Pennsylvania (College)
1945-46 Lincoln University - Pennsylvania (College)
1946-47 New York Rens (NBL)
1947-48 New York Rens (NBL)
1948-49 Dayton Rens (NBL)
1949-50 New York Rens (NBL)
1949-50 New York Harlem Yankees (ABL)
1950-51 Saratoga Harlem Yankees (ABL)

Usry served in the military during World War 2. After basketball he was a teacher and administrator in Atlantic City. He became the mayor of Atlantic City in March of 1984 when Michael Matthews was recalled. He was elected to a full term in 1986. In July of 1989, while still in office, Usry was arrested for accepting a bribe. He left office the following year.

Source:
Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, NY), March 14, 1984
Pittsburgh Press, July 29, 1989
Courier Post (Camden, NJ), June 15, 1990

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/u/usryja01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=usryji01

Mo Udall

Morris King Udall


Born:
June 15, 1922
St. Johns, AZ

Died:
December 12, 1998
Washington, DC


Career
St. John's at St. John's, AZ (High School)
1945-46 University of Arizona (College)
1946-47 University of Arizona (College)
1947-48 University of Arizona (College)
1948-49 Denver Nuggets (NBL)

Born to Levi and Louisa Udall in Arizona, Udall lost his eye in a childhood accident, but still managed to be a good basketball player in college. He tried to enlist in the army during World War 2, managing to fake examiners that he had two functioning eyes. His ruse was later discovered and he was discharged, but reinstated when the Army later changed their medical requirements. He served for two years and then returned to Arizona to complete college. He played one season with the Nuggets, and went to University of Denver and the University of Arizona to pursue a Law Degree. He wound up being elected to U.S. Congress, and served in the House from 1961 to 1991. He ran for president in 1976, giving Jimmy Carter a few tough battles in the primaries before dropping out.

Udall was married three times and he had six children.

Source:
http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=U000001
http://www.library.arizona.edu/exhibits/udall/

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/u/udallmo01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=udallmo01

 

Jack Spencer

Jackson Masten Spencer, Jr.


Born:
April 25, 1923
Davenport, IA

Died:
June 15, 2004
Davenport, IA


Career
1939-40 Davenport High School - Iowa (High School)
1940-41 Davenport High School - Iowa (High School)
1941-42 Davenport High School - Iowa (High School)
1943-44 University of Iowa (College)
1944-45 University of Iowa (College)
1946-47 University of Iowa (College)
1947-48 University of Iowa (College)
1948-49 Waterloo Hawks (NBL)
1949-50 University of Iowa (College) Assistant coach
1953-54 Iowa Wesleyan (College) Head coach
1954-55 Iowa Wesleyan (College) Head coach
1955-56 Iowa Wesleyan (College) Head coach 
1956-57 Iowa Wesleyan (College) Head coach
1957-58 Iowa Wesleyan (College) Head coach
1958-59 Iowa Wesleyan (College) Head coach
1959-60 University of Nevada (College) Head coach
1960-61 University of Nevada (College) Head coach
1961-62 University of Nevada (College) Head coach
1962-63 University of Nevada (College) Head coach
1963-64 University of Nevada (College) Head coach
1964-65 University of Nevada (College) Head coach
1965-66 University of Nevada (College) Head coach
1966-67 University of Nevada (College) Head coach
1967-68 University of Nevada (College) Head coach
1968-69 University of Nevada (College) Head coach
1969-70 University of Nevada (College) Head coach
1970-71 University of Nevada (College) Head coach
1971-72 University of Nevada (College) Head coach
1972-73 University of Nevada (College) Assistant coach
1973-74 University of Nevada (College) Assistant coach
1974-75 University of Nevada (College) Assistant coach
1975-76 University of Nevada (College) Assistant coach
1976-77 University of Nevada (College) Assistant coach
1977-78 University of Nevada (College) Assistant coach
1978-79 University of Nevada (College) Assistant coach
1979-80 University of Nevada (College) Assistant coach
1980-81 University of Nevada (College) Assistant coach
1981-82 University of Nevada (College) Assistant coach
1982-83 University of Nevada (College) Assistant coach
1983-84 University of Nevada (College) Assistant coach
1984-85 University of Nevada (College) Assistant coach
1985-86 University of Nevada (College) Assistant coach
1986-87 University of Nevada (College) Assistant coach
1987-88 University of Nevada (College) Assistant coach

Born to Jackson and Dorothy Spencer in Davenport, Iowa. Some sources list him as being born in 1925, but his obituary says he was 81 when he died, other ancestry records say 1923, and the Mason City Globe Gazette from April 3, 1942, says he was 18. In May of 1945, Spencer was declared academically ineligible and was dropped from the baseball and basketball teams. He briefly played for Waterloo before embarking on long career as a collegiate coach, culminating in over 25 years at Nevada as assistant and head coach. He died of emphysema in 2004.

He was married to Maureen.




Source:
ESPN Obituary
Mason City Globe Gazette (Iowa), April 3, 1942

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/s/spencja01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=spencja01

Dick Shrider

Richard Guy Shrider


Born:
February 7, 1923
Glass Rock, OH

Died:
January 14, 2014
Somerville, OH


Career
1938-39 Glenford High School - Ohio (High School)
1939-40 Glenford High School - Ohio (High School)
1940-41 Glenford High School - Ohio (High School)
1942-43 Ohio State University (College)
1943-44 University of Michigan (College)
1946-47 Ohio University (College)
1947-48 Ohio University (College)
1948-49 Detroit Vagabond Kings (NBL)
1948-49 New York Knicks (BAA)
1957-58 Miami University (Ohio) Head coach
1958-59 Miami University (Ohio) Head coach
1959-60 Miami University (Ohio) Head coach
1960-61 Miami University (Ohio) Head coach
1961-62 Miami University (Ohio) Head coach
1962-63 Miami University (Ohio) Head coach
1963-64 Miami University (Ohio) Head coach
1964-65 Miami University (Ohio) Head coach
1965-66 Miami University (Ohio) Head coach 


Born to Guy and Pansy Shrider, Dick served in the miliary during World War 2, and played basketball professionally for the Vagabonds and Knicks before becoming the head coach at Miami. He later wound up as the AD at Miami Universoity of Ohio from 1964 to 1988.

He married Carol Farley and they had a son and a daughter.




Source:
Obituary
Obituary, Journal-News



Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/s/shridri01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/shriddi01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=shriddi01

Ollie Shoaff

Oliver Richard Shoaff


Born:
November 10, 1923
Mt. Carmel, IL

Died:
October 5, 2001
Mt. Carmel, IL


Career
1938-39 Mt. Carmel at Mt. Carmel, IL (High School)
1939-40 Mt. Carmel at Mt. Carmel, IL (High School)
1940-41 Mt. Carmel at Mt. Carmel, IL (High School)
1942-43 Illinois University (College)
1946-47 Southern Illinois (College)
1947-48 Southern Illinois (College)
1948-49 Detroit Vagabond Kings (NBL)
1948-49 Hammond Calumet Buccaneers (NBL)
1949-50 Norris City (High School) Head coach
1950-51 Norris City (High School) Head coach
1950-51 Evansville Agogans (NPBL)
1951-52 Norris City (High School) Head coach
1952-53 Norris City (High School) Head coach

Born and raised in Mt. Carmel, Shoaff enrolled in Illinois, but enlisted in the army in 1943. After a few seasons of pro basketball, he became a basketball and baseball coach at the high school level and also officiated games.

Source:


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/s/shoafol01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/c/campbfr01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=bakerbo01

Tom Sealy

Thomas Fitz Sealy


Born:
January 31, 1921
Philadelphia, PA

Died:
November 29, 2000
Rome, NY


Career
Brooklyn College - New York (College)
1940-41 Washington Bruins (independent)
1941-42 Harlem Yankees (independent)
1942-43 New York Rens (independent)
1945-46 Chicago Brown Bombers (independent)
1945-46 Harlem Globetrotters (barnstorming)
1946-47 Harlem Globetrotters (barnstorming)
1947-48 New York Rens (independent)
1948-49 New York Rens (independent)
1948-49 Dayton Rens (NBL)
1949-50 Hartford Hurricane (ABL)
1949-50 New York Rens (independent)
1952-53 Harlem Globetrotters (barnstorming)

Some places have his birthdate as Feb 23, but most records, including his military records, has January 31.

Born in Philly but raised in Brooklyn, Sealy spent many years playing on predominately black basketball teams. He was with the Rens when they joined the NBL, and played in the ABL the next season before returning to the Rens who were an independent team again. Sealy served in the Army Air Corps during World War 2.

Source:


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/s/sealyth01n.html

http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=sealyth01

Dolph Schayes

Adolph Schayes


Born:
May 19, 1928
New York, NY

Died:
December 10, 2015
Syracuse, NY


Career
DeWitt Clinton High School - Bronx (High School)
1944-45 NYU (College)
1945-46 NYU (College)
1946-47 NYU (College)
1947-48 NYU (College)
1948-49 Syracuse Nationals (NBL)
1949-50 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1950-51 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1951-52 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1952-53 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1953-54 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1954-55 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1955-56 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1956-57 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1957-58 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1958-59 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1959-60 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1960-61 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1961-62 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1962-63 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1963-64 Philadelphia 76ers (NBA) - Player / head coach
1964-65 Philadelphia 76ers (NBA) - Head coach
1965-66 Philadelphia 76ers (NBA) - Head coach
1970-71 Buffalo Braves (NBA) - Head coach
1971-72 Buffalo Braves (NBA) - Head coach

NATIONAL BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME, 1973


There is plenty written about Schayes all over, so I will not go too deeply here and let other sources tell his story.

From New York, Schayes was one of the greatest players of the early NBA. He was a mere 16 years old when he entered NYU and started on their freshmen team. After four standout seasons at NYU, he made his mark over 15 seasons with Syracuse, and then went with the team when they moved to Philadelphia where he became head coach. He was elected to the Naismeith Hall of Fame in 1973. His son, Danny, also played in the NBA.

He succumbed to cancer in 2015, and his number was retired by the 76ers a few months later.







Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/s/schayad01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/schaydo01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=schaydo01

Ben Schadler

Bernard Rudolph "Ben" Schadler


Born:
March 9, 1924
Benton Harbor, MI

Died:
January 30, 2015
Vancouver, WA


Career
1939-40 Benton Harbor High School - Michigan (High School)
1940-41 Benton Harbor High School - Michigan (High School)
1941-42 Benton Harbor High School - Michigan (High School)
1942-43 Northwestern University (College) Freshmen
1943-44 Northwestern University (College)
1944-45 Northwestern University (College)
1946-47 Northwestern University (College)
1947-48 Chicago Stags (BAA)
1948-49 Detroit Vagabond Kings (NBL)
1948-49 Waterloo Hawks (NBL)

A three-sport star at Northwestern (football, baseball and basketball), Schadler was drafted by the NFL's Detroit Lions in 1945, while Schadler was serving his country in the war effort. When he returned, he opted to finish his education instead of a pro football career. He finished at NU and signed with the Stags. After being granted his release, he signed on to play with the Detroit Vagabond Kings in 1948. However, the King's season was doomed, and the team folded 19 games into their schedule. He then signed with Waterloo and finished the season with them. He signed with Sheboygan but was cut before the start of the season.
He took a job with Rexall and moved out to San Carlos, California. He owned and operated two pharmacies before retiring and moving to Camus, Washington. Ben died in 2015.

He was married to Polly in 1950 and they had a son and a daughter.

Source:
My Grandpa Was a Baller - blog post by Matt Kallman
Obituary

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/s/schadbe01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/schadbe01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=schadbe01

Don Ray

Donald Leroy "Duck" Ray


Born:
July 8, 1921
Jackson, TN

Died:
November 23, 1998
Bowling Green, KY


Career
1942-43 Western Kentucky (College)
1946-47 Western Kentucky (College)
1947-48 Western Kentucky (College)
1948-49 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBL)
1949-50 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBA)
1950-51 Louisville Alumnites (NPBL)

Born to Letcher and Maggie Ray in Jackson, Tennessee, Ray attended Western Kentucky, with his time there interrupted by his stint in the U.S. Army during World War 2.

Source:

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/r/raydo01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/raydo01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=raydo01

Red Pryor

Leroy "Red" Pryor


Born:
June 2, 1926
Chicago, IL

Died:
December 1, 2005
Chicago, IL


Career
DuSable High School - Chicago (High School)
1945-46 DePaul University (College)
1946-47 Cleveland Fifas (Independent)
1947-48 Chicago Colored Collegians (independent)
1947-48 Chicago Crusaders (independent)
1948-49 Dayton Rens (NBL)

Chicago
Pryor served in the Navy during World War and then finished up at DePaul. After playing basketball professionally for a few years, he became a salesman for a liquor distributor in the Chicago area.

He married MaryJo Cole (1931-2009) in 1949 and they had four children.

Some other sources say he was born in 1923 or 1925, but 1926 is in his obituary, gravestone, and  in military records.

Source:
Obituary from the Sun Times, December 2005
DeKalb Chronicle, February 16, 1948

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/p/pryorle01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=pryorle01

Longie Powell

Robert V. "Longie" Powell


Born:
February 14, 1919
Mississippi

Died:
June 27, 1969
Gary, IN


Career
Friedrich Froebel High School - Gary, IN (High School)
1942-43 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1946-47 New York Rens (Independent)
1947-48 Chicago Colored Collegians (Independent)
1948-49 Dayton Rens (NBL)

Various news article and sources say he is from Gary, Indiana.

There is a Robert V. Powell, born Feb 14, 1919 in Mississippi, lived in Gary in 1930 Census, died in Gary June 27, 1969. Son of Earnest (and Verlillie?), married to Ola. Pretty sure it his him.


Source:
Death certificate at Ancestry.com (membership required)

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/p/powelro01n.html
www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=powelro02

Ed Peterson

Edward T. Peterson


Born:
June 27, 1924
Buffalo, NY

Died:
March 20, 1984
Syracuse, NY


Career
1944-45 Cornell University (College)
1945-46 Cornell University (College)
1946-47 Cornell University (College)
1947-48 Cornell University (College)
1948-49 Syracuse Nationals (NBL)
1949-50 Syracuse Nationals (NBL)
1950-51 Syracuse Nationals (NBL)
1950-51 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBL)


Source:


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/p/petered01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/petered01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=petered01

Hank O'Keeffe

Henry Joseph "Hank" O'Keeffe


Born:
December 12, 1923
Malverne, NY

Died:
December 27, 2011
Savannah, GA


Career
1938-39 Malverne High School - New York (High School)
1939-40 Malverne High School - New York (High School)
1940-41 Malverne High School - New York (High School)
1942-43 Canisius College (College)
1943-44 RPI (College)
1944-45 RPI (College)
1946-47 Canisius College (College)
1947-48 Canisius College (College)
1948-49 Syracuse Nationals (NBL)
1949-50 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)
1950-51 Erie Admirals (AABL)

O'Keeffe enrolled in Canisius, but when World War 2 came around, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was placed in their pre-flight (V-5) program that placed him at RPI, where he played basketball for two seasons. After his discharge, he returned to Canisius to finish his education. He played a few seasons of professional basketball, and in 1969 was involved with Buffalo business man Jack Ahearn in bringing a professional franchise to Buffalo. He was a successful insurance agent, starting his own business in Buffalo before moving to Florida where he worked as a real estate agent. He retired in Savannah, Georgia, where he died in 2011.

He was married to Bonnie and they had six children. After Bonnie's death, he remarried to Pamela in 1984.

Source:
Troy Record, December 2, 1943
Wilkes-Barre Record, October 19, 1949
Funeral Notice, Bradley B. Anderson Funeral Home

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/o/okeefhe01n.
htmlwww.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=okeefha01

Bob Mulvihill

Robert Francis Mulvihill


Born:
March 9, 1924
Washington, DC

Died:
May 17, 2016
Manasquan, NJ


Career
Gonzaga Prep at Washington, DC (High School)
1942-43 Fordham University (College)
1943-44 University of Rochester (College)
1946-47 Fordham University (College)
1947-48 Fordham University (College)
1948-49 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1949-50 Oshkosh All-Stars (WSBL)
1950-51 Torrington Howards (EBL-Ct)

Born to James and Nellie Mulvihill in DC, Mulvihill attended Gonzaga Prep and then moved on to Fordham. After serving in the Marine Corps during World War 2, during which he also attended Rochester, Mulvihill finished his education at Fordham. He played one season in the NBL, for Oshkosh. An injury essentially ended his career (although he did play briefly in the East Coast League a few years later) and he moved back east. He moved to Clifton, New Jersey, and Bob took a teaching job at St Peter's Prep in Jersey City, where he stayed for 37 years until his retirement. He moved to Wayne, New Jersey, in 1960, and lived there for 45 years.

Bob married Leona Rizzo in 1949 and they had eight children.




Source:
Obituary - Washington Post
Funeral Home Notice
Des Moines Register, February 9, 1944
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, December 21, 1945

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/mulvibo01n.html

http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mulvibo01

Guy Mitchell

Guy Melven Mitchell


Born:
January 3, 1923
Kinderpost, MO

Died:
June 26, 1972
Denver, CO


Career
1938-39 Hutchinson High School - Kansas (High School)
1939-40 Hutchinson High School - Kansas (High School)
1940-41 Hutchinson High School - Kansas (High School)
1941-42 Kansas State Teachers College (College) (Now Pittsburg College)
1942-43 Cessna Bombers - Hutchinson, KS (Military)
1946-47 Kansas State Teachers College (College) (Now Pittsburg College)
1947-48 Kansas State Teachers College (College) (Now Pittsburg College)
1948-49 Denver Nuggets (NBL)
1950-51 Kansas City Hi-Spots (NPBL)
1950-51 Denver Refiners (NPBL)

Mitchell served in the military during World War 2.

His older brother, Roy, played basketball.

Source:
Military Grave

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/mitchgu01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mitchgu01

Bud Mendenhall

Murray Joseph Mendenhall, Jr.


Born:
October 22, 1925
Fort Wayne, IN

Died:
February 7, 2014
Fort Wayne, IN




Career
1940-41 Central High School - Fort Wayne, IN (High School)
1941-42 Central High School - Fort Wayne, IN (High School)
1942-43 Central High School - Fort Wayne, IN (High School)
1943-44 Central High School - Fort Wayne, IN (High School)
1944-45 Rice University (College)
1946-47 Indiana Univeristy (College)
1947-48 Indiana Univeristy (College)
1948-49 Anderson Duffey Packers (NBL)
1950-51 Beech Grove High School- Indiana (High School) Head coach
1951-52 Beech Grove High School- Indiana (High School) Head coach
1952-53 Greensburg High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1953-54 Greensburg High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1954-55 Greensburg High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1955-56 Central High School - Fort Wayne, Indiana (High School) Assistant coach
1956-57 Indiana Institute of Technology (College) Head coach
1957-58 Indiana Institute of Technology (College) Head coach
1958-59 Indiana Institute of Technology (College) Head coach
1959-60 Indiana Institute of Technology (College) Head coach
1964-65 Central High School - Fort Wayne, Indiana (High School) Head coach
1968-69 Snider High School - Fort Wayne, Indiana (High School) Assistant coach
1969-70 Snider High School - Fort Wayne, Indiana (High School) Assistant coach
1972-73 South High School - Fort Wayne, Indiana (High School) Head coach  
1973-74 South High School - Fort Wayne, Indiana (High School) Head coach  
1974-75 South High School - Fort Wayne, Indiana (High School) Head coach  
1975-76 South High School - Fort Wayne, Indiana (High School) Head coach  
1976-77 South High School - Fort Wayne, Indiana (High School) Head coach  
1977-78 South High School - Fort Wayne, Indiana (High School) Head coach 
1978-79 South High School - Fort Wayne, Indiana (High School) Head coach  
1979-80 South High School - Fort Wayne, Indiana (High School) Head coach 
1980-81 South High School - Fort Wayne, Indiana (High School) Head coach  


Born in Fort Wayne to Murray and Alice Mendenhall, Bud played for the state champions at Central and enlisted into the U.S. Navy after graduating. He attended Rice while in the Navy, playing on their basketball team. Following his discharge from the service, he enrolled at Indiana. After one season with the Packers, coached by his father, he taught and coached at various high schools and was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996.


He was married to Miriam and had two sons and a daughter.

Source:
Obituary, Fort Wayne newspapers, February 9, 2014

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/mendemu01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mendemu01

Ed Mills

Edward Russell Mills


Born:
February 23, 1922
Milwaukee, WI

Died:
September 27, 2002
Milwaukee, WI


Career
1946-47 University of Wisconsin (College)
1947-48 University of Wisconsin (College)
1948-49 Oshkosh All-Stars (NBL)
1948-49 Milwaukee Bright Spots (Independent)
1949-50 Racine Knights (Independent)
1950-51 Manitowoc Braves (WSBL)

From West Milwaukee. He great-nephew Ben Mills played basketball at Colorado University.

Married Virginia Faye Barlow (1927-2011) in 1949. They had two sons and two daughters.

Source:


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/millsed01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=millsed01

Whitey Macknowsky

John Andrew Macknowsky
(aka John Andrew Mackin)


Born:
January 7, 1923


Died:
April 8, 2024



Career
Lincoln High School - Jersey City (High School)
1941-42 Seton Hall University (College) Freshmen
1945-46 Seton Hall University (College)
1946-47 Seton Hall University (College)
1947-48 Seton Hall University (College) 
1947-48 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1948-49 Syracuse Nationals (NBL)
1949-50 Syracuse Nationals (NBL)
1950-51 Syracuse Nationals (NBL)

Macknowsky was born in Russia and grew up in Iselin, New Jersey. He went to Seton Hall for a year before going into the military for World War 2. He returned to Seton Hall after the war and finished his education, and after that played three seasons for the Nationals.

Johnny married to Olga (1926-2016) in 1950 and they had three daughters.

Source:
Post-Standard (Syracuse), April 3, 1952

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/m/macknjo01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/macknjo01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=macknjo01

Carl Loyd

Carl E. Loyd


Born:
November 24, 1925
Bush, IL

Died:
August 29, 2012
Roseland, IN


Career
1940-41 Woodrow Wilson High School - South Bend, IN (High School)
1941-42 Woodrow Wilson High School - South Bend, IN (High School)
1942-43 Woodrow Wilson High School - South Bend, IN (High School)
1943-44 Notre Dame (College)
1946-47 Notre Dame (College)
1948-49 Hammond Calumet Buccaneers (NBL)

Born in Indiana to Virgil and Opal Loyd, Carl and his family moved to South Bend in 1941, and later attended college at Notre Dame. He was drafted into the U.S. Navy during his time at Notre Dame, be returned after the war to finish his studies. He played one season of professional basketball for the Buccaneers before quitting the game, and worked for Peter Eckrich and Sons for 35 years before retiring in 1985.

He married Elaine Runyon on July 1, 1944, and they had two daughters and a son.

Source:
Obituary

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/l/loydca01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=loydca01

Bobby Lowther

Robert Carswell Lowther, Sr.


Born:
December 14, 1923
Houston, TX

Died:
March 23, 2015
Alexandria, LA


Career
1938-39 Bolton High School - Alexandria, LA (High School)
1939-40 Bolton High School - Alexandria, LA (High School)
1940-41 Bolton High School - Alexandria, LA (High School)
1942-43 Louisiana State University (College)
1945-46 Louisiana State University (College)
1946-47 Louisiana State University (College)
1947-48 Louisiana State University (College)
1948-49 Montgomery Rebels (SPBL)
1948-49 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBL)
1948-49 Waterloo Hawks (NBL)

Born in Houston to Alexander and Jeanette Lowther, and raised in Alexandria, Lowther was a track and basketball star at Bolton HS before leading off to LSU. His time at LSU was interrupted by World War 2, where Lowther served as a bomber in the Air Corps. 

He was married to Merriam and they had two sons and a daughter.

Source:
Obituary

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/l/lowthro01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=lowthbo01

Gene Lalley

Eugene Claire Lalley


Born:
August 12, 1922
Des Moines, IA

Died:
December 20, 1972
Los Angeles, CA


Career
1938-39 Dowling High School - Des Moines, IA (High School)
1939-40 Dowling High School - Des Moines, IA (High School)
1942-43 Creighton University (College)
1946-47 Creighton University (College)
1947-48 Creighton University (College)
1948-49 Denver Nuggets (NBL)

Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Lalley played basketball briefly for the Denver Nuggets. Heserved in the U.S. Marines during World War 2, and died at 50 years of age in 1972.

He was married to Shirley and had two sons.

Source:
Valley News, Van Nuys, CA, December 24, 1972

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/l/lalleeu01n.html

http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=lallege01

Leo Kubiak

Leo Stephen (Roman?) Kubiak


Born:
December 25, 1926
Toledo, OH

 :




Career

1941-42 Macomber Vocational School - Toledo (High School)
1942-43 Woodward High School - Toledo (High School)
1943-44 Woodward High School - Toledo (High School)
1944-45 Bowling Green State University - Ohio (College)
1945-46 Bowling Green State University - Ohio (College)
1946-47 Bowling Green State University - Ohio (College)
1947-48 Bowling Green State University - Ohio (College)
1948-49 Waterloo Hawks (NBL)
1949-50 Waterloo Hawks (NBA)
1950-51 Waterloo Hawks (NPBL)
1950-51 Denver Refiners (NPBL)

Born in Ohio to Martin and Monica Kubiak, Kubiak grew up in Toledo, where he attended and played basketball and baseball at Macomber and Woodward High School. He moved on to play both sports at Bowling Green, and afterwards played basketball professionally for the Waterloo Hawks and the Denver Refiners. He also played baseball in the minor leagues briefly.

Leo married Suzanne Mercer Maddock in 1950.


Minor League Baseball Stats:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=kubiak001leo

Source:


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/k/kubiale01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kubiale01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=kubiale01

Vic Krafft

Victor Edmondson Krafft


Born:
June 3, 1919
Chicago, IL

Died:
November 21, 1991



Career
Wilson JC - Chicago (College)
1942-43 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1943-44 Lincoln Airfield Raiders (military)
1946-47 Chicago Monarchs (Independent)
1946-47 Chicago Colored Collegians (Independent)
1947-48 Chicago Colored Collegians (Independent)
1948-49 Dayton Rens (NBL)
1949-50 Chicago Colored Collegians (Independent)
1950-51 Chicago Colored Collegians (Independent)
1951-52 Chicago Colored Collegians (Independent)

Krafft served in the Army Air Corps during World War 2. A basketball player of renown skill for many years with all-black teams, Krafft was also a notable player of pool checkers, winning the 1971 Top Master title.

Source:
Arlington Heights Herald, November 8, 1946
Jacksonville Daily Journal, November 28, 1951
Ancestry link to widow

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/k/kraffvi01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=kraffvi01

Tony Kaseta

Anthony Joseph Kaseta


Born:
September 9, 1923
Hamtramck, MI

Died:
January 19, 1995
Livonia, MI


Career
Detroit Northern High School (High School)
1943-44 Clinton County Army Airfield - Ohio (military)
1945-46 Kelly Air Field (military)
1946-47 Detroit Mansfields (Independent)
1947-48 Grand Rapids Rangers (PBLA)
1947-48 Detroit Vagabonds (Independent)
1947-48 House of David (Independent)
1948-49 Detroit Vagabond Kings (NBL)

The 6'8 center served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War 2.

He married Wanda Kralik in 1952. They had three sons, including Tony Jr. who played baseball and basketball at the University of Detroit.

Source:
Wilmington News Journal, December 2, 1943

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/k/kasetan01n.html

http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=kasetto01

Noble Jorgensen

Noble Gordon Jorgensen


Born:
May 18, 1925
Columbus, OH

Died:
November 2, 1982
Minneapolis, MN


Career
1940-41 Taylor Allderdice - Pittsburgh (High School)
1942-43 Fraternal Order of Police (Pittsburgh Municpal League)
1943-44 Westminster College - Pennsylvania (College)
1944-45 Westminster College - Pennsylvania (College)
1945-46 University of Iowa (College)
1946-47 University of Iowa (College)
1946-47 Pittsburgh Ironmen (BAA)
1947-48 Waterloo Pro-Hawks (PBLA)
1947-48 Portland Indians (PCBL)
1948-49 Sheboygan Redskins (NBL)
1949-50 Sheboygan Redskins (NBA)
1950-51 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBA)
1950-51 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1951-52 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1952-53 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)


In February of 1947, he was declared ineligible and removed from the Iowa squad. He signed with the Ironmen in the BAA a few days later and played the rest of the season with them.
In April of 1947, Jorgensen was critically injured in a car accident in Iowa, be recovered to play another seven season professionally. He was named as a plaintiff in a lawsuit for the accident, filed by the families of two passengers injured in the accident.

Jorgensen died of an aortic aneurysm in 1982.
His father, Charles, was a trainer for the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team. His brother Roger was his teammate with the Ironmen.

Source:
Pittsburgh Press, April 30, 1947

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/j/jorgeno01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jorgeno01.html 
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=jorgeno01

Johnny Isaacs

John William Isaacs


Born:
September 15, 1915
Panama

Died:
January 26, 2009
Bronx, NY


Career
1933-34 Textile High School - New York City (High School)
1934-35 Textile High School - New York City (High School)
1935-36 St. Peter Claver Penguins (Independent)
1935-36 New York Harlem Giants (Independent)
1936-37 New York Collegians (Independent)
1936-37 New York Rens (Independent)
1937-38 New York Rens (Independent)
1938-39 New York Rens (Independent)
1939-40 New York Rens (Independent)
1940-41 New York Rens (Independent)
1941-42 New York Rens (Independent)
1941-42 Philadelphia Toppers (Independent)
1941-42 Washington Bears (Independent)
1942-43 New York Rens (Independent)
1942-43 Washington Bears (Independent)
1942-43 Long Island Grumans (Independent)
1943-44 Washington Bears (Independent)
1943-44 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1944-45 Washington Bears (Independent)
1944-45 Long Island Grumans (Independent)
1945-46 Washington Bears (Independent)
1946-47 Washington Bears (Independent)
1946-47 Hazleton Mountaineers (EPBL)
1946-47 Orange (NYNJ)
1947-48 Utica Olympics (NYSL)
1948-49 Dayton Rens (NBL)
1948-49 Brooklyn Gothams (ABL)
1948-49 Utica Olympics  (NYSL)
1950-51 Saratoga Harlem Yankees (ABL)
1952-53 Glen Falls / Saratoga (ABL) ??

NATIONAL BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME, 2015



Born in Panama, Isaacs (in some places misspelled as "Issacs" or "Issaacs"), along with his mother and sister, emigrated to the United States in September of 1919. His father Percival, a Jamaican, was a laborer on the Panama Canal when he met his mother, Maud. The family moved to Cuba shortly after work in Panama had dried up. Percival emigrated a few months prior to the rest of the family.

Isaacs grew up in Harlem, where he learned to play basketball. A long-time member of the New York Rens, he played many years for professional tournament teams and barnstorming squads.



By the time the professional sport became more organized, and the NBA was finally taking a foothold, Isaacs was too old to be signed. He spent many years coaching and tutoring youths in Harlem on the game, and left an imprint on many. He was elected the Hall of Fame in 2015, six years after his passing.

Source:
Obituary, NY Times, Feb 3, 2009
Black Fives Organization

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/i/isaacjo01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=isaacjo01