Connie Simmons

Cornelius Leo Simmons


Born:
March 15, 1925
Newark, NJ

Died:
April 15, 1989
New York, NY


Career
Flushing High School - New York (High School)
1946-47 Boston Celtics (BAA)
1947-48 Boston Celtics (BAA)
1947-48 Baltimore Bullets (BAA)
1948-49 Baltimore Bullets (BAA)
1949-50 New York Knicks (NBA)
1950-51 New York Knicks (NBA)
1951-52 New York Knicks (NBA)
1952-53 New York Knicks (NBA)
1953-54 New York Knicks (NBA)
1954-55 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1955-56 Rochester Royals (NBA)

Simmons was a ten-year veteran of the NBA, most notably with the Knicks. His brother, Johnny, also played for the Celtics. Connie died of cancer in 1989.

He and his wife, Jean, had five daughters and a son.

Source:


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/simmoco01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=simmoco01

Ralph Siewert

Ralph Paul Siewert


Born:
December 31, 1923
Bloomfield Hills, MI

Died:
November 21, 1990
Mt. Clemens, MI


Career
1939-40 Mount Clemens High School - Mich. (High School)
1940-41 Mount Clemens High School - Mich. (High School)
1941-42 Mount Clemens High School - Mich. (High School)
1945-46 Dakota Wesleyan - South Dakota (College)
1946-47 Port Huron Downs (Independent)
1946-47 St. Louis Bombers (BAA)
1946-47 Toronto Huskies (BAA)

Born to Paul and Clara Swiert.

During World War 2, the 6'11 (or 7'1) Siewert threw batting practice for the Detroit Tigers. In March of 1944, the Tigers sent him to Memphis in the Southern Association.

He was married to Doris Lindlow in 1945 (1925-1990)

Source:
Times Herald (Port Huron, MI) - January 4, 1947


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/siewera01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=siewera01

Fred Sheffield

Frederick Jolley Sheffield


Born:
November 5, 1923
Kaysville, UT

Died:
December 8, 2009
Tustin, CA


Career
1939-40 Davis High School - Kaysville, UT (High School)
1940-41 Davis High School - Kaysville, UT (High School)
1941-42 Davis High School - Kaysville, UT (High School)
1942-43 University of Utah (College)
1943-44 University of Utah (College)
1944-45 University of Utah (College)
1945-46 University of Utah (College)
1946-47 Philadelphia Warriors (BAA)
1946-47 Reading Keys (EPBL)
1947-48 Lancaster Roses (ABL)

1948-49 Lancaster Red Roses (EPBL)

1948-49 Sunbury Mercuries (EPBL)

1949-50 York Victory (EPBL)

Born to Frederick and Lydia Sheffield in Laysville, Utah, Fred starred on the court and the track team at Davis High School before heading to the University of Utah where he lead the Utes to the 1944 Collegiate basketball championship. He had received a deferment from serving in the armed forces during World War 2 due to his status as a pre-med student. After Utah, Sheffield attended medical school at Temple and also played a year with the Warriors. He entered the U.S. Army and attained the rank of colonel and retired in 1969. Specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation and moved to Tustin, California, where he died in 2009.

He was married to Kari and had two daughters and a son.

His older brother Val also played basketball at Utah.

Source:
Grave / Obituary

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/shefffr01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=shefffr01

Bob Shea

Robert Francis Shea


Born:
September 11, 1924
Mystic, CT

Died:
January 27, 2015
Hingham, MA


Career
1939-40 Stonington High School - Connecticut (High School)
1940-41 Stonington High School - Connecticut (High School)
1941-42 Stonington High School - Connecticut (High School)
1943-44 University of Rhode Island (College)
1944-45 University of Rhode Island (College)
1945-46 University of Rhode Island (College)
1946-47 Providence Steamrollers (BAA)

Bob was born to Sebastian and Marguerite. He went to Stonington HS, where he played football and basketball (despite having never played basketball before). He starred at URI and after graduating, he played with the Steamrollers, where he scored the first points against the Celtics in NBA history. Shea taught social studies back at Stonington for 35 years, retiring in 1984.

He married Elaine Cox on September 21, 1946, and they had one son and three daughters.

Source:
Obituary
Rhode Island Athletics


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sheabo01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=sheabo01

Earl Shannon

Earl F. Shannon


Born:
November 23, 1921
Providence, RI

Died:
July 8, 2002
Warwick, RI


Career
1936-37 Pawtucket High School (High School)
1937-38 Pawtucket High School (High School)
1938-39 Pawtucket High School (High School)
1939-40 University of Rhode Island (College) Freshmen
1940-41 University of Rhode Island (College)
1941-42 University of Rhode Island (College)
1942-43 University of Rhode Island (College)
1946-47 Providence Steamrollers (BAA)
1947-48 Providence Steamrollers (BAA)
1948-49 Providence Steamrollers (BAA)
1948-49 Boston Celtics (BAA)
1949-50 Meriden Sons of Italy (EBL-Ct)
1950-51 Meriden Sons of Italy (EBL-Ct)
1952-53 Pawtucket Slaters (ABL)
1952-53 Providence (APBL)
University of Rhode Island (College) Head coach - freshmen team
University of Rhode Island (College) Head coach - freshmen team
University of Rhode Island (College) Head coach - freshmen team
University of Rhode Island (College) Head coach - freshmen team
University of Rhode Island (College) Head coach - freshmen team
University of Rhode Island (College) Head coach - freshmen team
University of Rhode Island (College) Head coach - freshmen team
Providence College (College) Assistant coach
1963-64 Bryant College (College) Head coach

Born in Providence to Tom and Madeline Shannon, Earl attended Pawtucket High School and later URI. After graduation, Earl entered the U.S. Army where he served in the Air Corps in the European Theater of World War 2. He returned home to play basketball professionally for Providence an Boston before rejoining the military for the Korean War. He served as an assistant coach as well as a head coach for URI, Providence and Bryant, as well as working for the FBI, a fraud and arson investigator, head of security at URI, and as a fire marshal for Rhode Island.

In July of 2002, Shannon suffered a heart attack while golfing and died a short time later.

He was married to Susan Jackson and they had three daughters.



Source:
Rhode Island Athletics
Newport Mercury, November 21, 1952
Warwick Online Obituary

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/shannea01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=shannea01

Nick Shaback

Nicholas Shaback


Born:
September 10, 1918
New York, NY

Died:
January 5, 2010
New York, NY


Career
1935-36 James Monroe High School - New York (High School)
1938-39 New York Orbachs (AAU)
1939-40 Troy Celtics (ABL)
1939-40 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)
1940-41 Glen Falls (NYSL)
1940-41 Brooklyn Celtics (ABL)
1941-42 Glen Falls (NYSL)
1941-42 Rockford & Co. (Brooklyn Industrial League)
1941-42 Wilmington Blue Bombers (ABL)
1941-42 Brooklyn Dodgers (Independent)
1942-43 Camden/Brooklyn Indians (ABL)
1942-43 Kingston Recreations (Independent)
1942-43 New London (CSL)
1942-43 Detroit Eagles (Independent)
1945-46 Syracuse Stars (Independent)
1945-46 Paterson Crescents (ABL)
1946-47 Cleveland Rebels (BAA)
1947-48 Cohoes Mastadons (NYSL)
1948-49 Cohoes Mastadons (NYSL)

Served in the Coast Guard in the Pacific during World War 2.


Source:
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, April 1, 1936
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, January 26, 1939
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, October 30, 1941
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, December 4, 1941
Kingston Daily Freeman, November 19, 1942
Morning News (Wilmington, DE), November 24, 1942
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, February 25, 1943


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/shabani01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=shabani01

George Senesky

George Lawrence Senesky


Born:
April 4, 1922
Mahanoy City, PA

Died:
June 25, 2001
Cape May Court House, NJ


Career
1938-39 Mahanoy City High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1940-41 St. Joseph's University - Pennsylvania (College)
1941-42 St. Joseph's University - Pennsylvania (College)
1942-43 St. Joseph's University - Pennsylvania (College)
1945-46 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1946-47 Philadelphia Warriors (BAA)
1947-48 Philadelphia Warriors (BAA)
1948-49 Philadelphia Warriors (BAA)
1949-50 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)
1950-51 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)
1951-52 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)
1952-53 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)
1953-54 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)
1955-56 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)  Head coach
1956-57 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)  Head coach
1957-58 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)  Head coach

Senesky starred on the court at St. Joseph's/ After serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War 2, he signed with the Philly SPHA's in the ABL before joining with the Warriors where he played for 8 seasons. He retired in 1945, but returned to the Warriors a couple years later as head coach. He lead the Warriors for three seasons.

Senesky died of cancer in 2001.

Source:
NY Times Obituary

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/senesge01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=senesge01

Jim Seminoff

James Jack Seminoff


Born:
September 1, 1922
Los Angeles, CA

Died:
June 12, 2001
San Clemente, CA


Career
1938-39 Roosevelt High School - Los Angeles (High School)
1940-41 University of Southern California (College)
1941-42 University of Southern California (College)
1942-43 University of Southern California (College)
1942-43 Williams Field Fliers (Military)
1945-46 20th Century Fox - Hollywood (ABL/AAU)
1946-47 Chicago Stags (BAA)
1947-48 Chicago Stags (BAA)
1948-49 Boston Celtics (BAA)
1949-50 Boston Celtics (NBA)

Seminoff left USC to join the Marines, and he was a veteran of the battles of Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal. Back in the States in October of 1946, he got an offer to play for the Stags, so he loaded up his family and drove East. He played in the BAA/NBA for four seasons and then returned to California, where he started a zinc alloy company named SEMCO. During this time, he also worked as an official for the PAC-10 and the WCC.
In June of 2001, Seminoff underwent emergency heart surgery, but died on the operating table. He was 78 years old.

He married Rosemary Cathryn Williams (1921-2005) and they had a daughter and two sons.




Source:
L.A. Times, May 18, 2001
Orange County Register, June 19, 2001

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/seminji01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=seminji01

Fred Scolari

Fred Joseph Scolari


Born:
March 1, 1922
San Francisco, CA

Died:
October 17, 2002
San Ramon, CA


Career
Galileo High School - San Francisco (High School)
University of San Francisco (College)  ??
1941-42 San Francisco Salesians (AAU)
1945-46 San Francisco Dardis Dandies (ABL-AAU)
1946-47 Washington Capitols (BAA)
1947-48 Washington Capitols (BAA)
1948-49 Washington Capitols (BAA)
1949-50 Washington Capitols (NBA)
1950-51 Washington Capitols (NBA)
1950-51 Syracuse Nationals (NBA) 
1951-52 Baltimore Bullets (NBA) Player / Head coach
1952-53 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA)
1953-54 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA)
1954-55 Boston Celtics (NBA) 

He may not have looked like your typical basketball player, but his unorthodox shooting style and chubby physique didn't prevent him from a nine-year career in the NBA, and neither did being blind in one eye and deaf in one ear.

Following an All-Star career, he left to sell insurance. He was active in the youth sports community until his death at 80.

He supposedly played college ball at USF, but he doesn't appear on their all-time roster.

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

Source:
SF Gate Obituary

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/scolafr01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=scolafr01

Ossie Schectman

Oscar B. Schectman


Born:
March 30, 1919
New Brunswick, NJ

Died:
July 30, 2013
Delray Beach, FL


Career
1935-36 Samuel Tilden High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1936-37 Samuel Tilden High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1938-39 Long Island University (College)
1939-40 Long Island University (College)
1940-41 Long Island University (College)
1941-42 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1941-42 Long Island Gruman Hellcats (Independent)
1942-43 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1942-43 Long Island Gruman Hellcats (Independent)
1943-44 Brooklyn Indians (ABL)
1943-44 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1944-45 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1944-45 Long Island Gruman Hellcats (Independent)
1945-46 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1946-47 New York Knicks (BAA)
1947-48 Paterson Crescents (ABL)
1947-48 Twin Cities Celtics (NYSL)
1948-49 Paterson Crescents (ABL)

Born to Russian immigrants, Schectman played baseball and basketball at Tilden HS in Brooklyn. He attended LIU, where he helped his team to the NIT title. He then went on to play professionally for many years on Long Island, as well as with the SPHA's in the ABL. He signed with the New York Knicks of the newly-formed BAA in 1946, and was on the court for the league's inaugural game against Toronto. Schectman put the Knicks on the board first with a layup, and that field goal marked the first points scored in the history of what would become the NBA. At a time when the Knicks (like the rest of the league) had a salary cap of $60,000, Schectman signed for $10,000 of it. His time with the Knicks came to an abrupt end when he tripped over Max Zaslofsky and ruptured an intestine. He returned to the court for a few more seasons with Paterson back in the ABL, but then called it quits. He worked in the garment industry before retiring to Florida. Schectman, along with the other surviviors of the Knicks and Huskies, reunited in 1996 at the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the NBA. Schectman died in 2013 at 94 years of age.

He was married to Evelyn and had two sons.


Source:
Asbury Park Press, March 4, 1990
The Star, July 31, 2013

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/schecos01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=schecos01

Ben Scharnus

Ben Michael "Whitey" Scharnus


Born:
December 11, 1917
Newark, NJ

Died:
March 19, 1982
Stevensville, MD


Career
1935-36 Newark Iron Dukes (Independent)
1936-37 Newark Iron Dukes (Independent)
1937-38 Newark Iron Dukes (Independent)
1938-39 Newark Iron Dukes (Independent)
1939-40 Seton Hall University (College)
1940-41 Seton Hall University (College)
1941-42 Seton Hall University (College)
1942-43 Aberdeen Proving Grounds (military)
1943-44 Brooklyn Indians (ABL)
1943-44 Wilmington Blue Bombers (ABL)
1944-45 Baltimore Bullets (ABL)
1945-46 Baltimore Bullets (ABL)
1945-46 New York Gothams (ABL)  
1946-47 Cleveland Rebels (BAA)
1947-48 Brooklyn Gothams (ABL)
1948-49 Providence Steamrollers (BAA)
1948-49 Cohoes Mastadons (NYSL)

Scharnus went to Seton Hall and then served in the U.S. Army during World War 2. After a few seasons of pro ball, Scharnus got his Masters Degree from the University of Maryland and taught at Stevensville High School. He eventually wound up working for the U.S. Army again as a Special Service Officer at Fort Meade and Fort Eusitus.
He married Elaine Palmer on April 7, 1945, and they had four sons and two daughters.

Source:
Courier News (Bridgewater, NJ) November 8, 1935
Philadelphia Inquirer, February 28, 1943
Star-Democrat, March 22, 1982

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/scharbe01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=scharbe01

Kenny Sailors

Kenneth Lloyd Sailors


Born:
January 14, 1921
Bushnell, NE

Died:
January 30, 2016
Laramie, WY


Career
1936-37 Laramie High School - Wyoming (High School)
1937-38 Laramie High School - Wyoming (High School)
1938-39 Laramie High School - Wyoming (High School)
1940-41 University of Wyoming (College)
1941-42 University of Wyoming (College)
1942-43 University of Wyoming (College)
1945-46 University of Wyoming (College)
1946-47 Cleveland Rebels (BAA)
1947-48 Chicago Stags (BAA)
1947-48 Philadelphia Warriors (BAA)
1947-48 Providence Steamrollers (BAA)
1948-49 Providence Steamrollers (BAA)
1949-50 Denver Nuggets (NBA)
1950-51 Boston Celtics (NBA)
1950-51 Baltimore Bullets (NBA)

Born in Nebraska to Edward and Cora Sailors, Kenny grew up on a farm in rural Wyoming. His parents divorced when Kenny was young, and he and his older brother, Bud, used to play basketball underneath a windmill on the farm when not working or at school. Sailors developed a jump shot during those games, which was in a time where basketball players never left their feet to shoot. His jump shot carried him to basketball stardom at Laramie HS, and on to the University of Wyoming where he lead the Cowboys to the 1943 NCAA championship. He entered the Marines follwing that season as World War 2 raged on. When conflict ended, he returned to Wyoming to finish his education, and then went on to play basketball professionally for 5 seasons.

Done with playing basketball, Sailors bought a ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and served on the Wyoming legislature. As a Republican, he ran twice unsuccessfully for one of Wyoming's congressional seats and once for the United States Senate. In 1965, Sailors and his wife moved to Alaska and stayed there 30 years, coaching and teaching. In 1995, they moved to Idaho, and after his wife's death from Alzheimer's Disease, he returned to Laramie, where he lived the remainder of his life. Sailors suffered a massive heart attack in December of 2015, and died the next month at 95 years of age.

There are around 8 players who lay claim to inventing the jump shot, it is Sailor's technique that is the most widely-use and recognizable jump shot compared to the others.

He married Marilynne Corbin (1924-2002) in 1943 and they had two daughters and one son.

Source:
kennysailorsjumpshot.com
Washington Post Obituary
NY Times Obituary

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sailoke01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=sailoke01

Jerry Rullo

Generoso Charles "Jerry" Rullo


Born:
June 23, 1922
Philadelphia, PA

Died:
October 21, 2016
Philadelphia, PA



Career
1938-39 John Bartram High School - Philadelphia (High School)
1939-40 John Bartram High School - Philadelphia (High School)
1940-41 John Bartram High School - Philadelphia (High School)
1942-43 Temple University (College)
1943-44 Temple University (College)
1945-46 Temple University (College)
1945-46 McCall Post - Philadelphia (Independent)
1946-47 Philadelphia Warriors (BAA)
1947-48 Baltimore Bullets (BAA)
1947-48 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1948-49 Philadelphia Warriors (BAA)
1948-49 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1949-50 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)
1949-50 Hartford Hurricanes (ABL)
1949-50 Trenton Tigers (ABL)
1950-51 Sunbury Mercuries (EPBL)

1951-52 Sunbury Mercuries (EPBL)
1952-53 Sunbury Mercuries (EPBL)

1953-54 Sunbury Mercuries (EPBL) 

Rullo was a true citizen of Philadelphia. Born there in 1922, he went to Bartram High School and from there went to Temple, where he played baseball, soccer and basketball. He was drafted in the Army Reserves, and after graduating from Temple with a degree in Physical Education, he signed with the Warriors and helped them to the BAA Championship. He played in both the BAA/NBA and the ABL, and after his playing career, he stayed in Philadelphia and worked with the city's recreation programs. He enjoyed many years of coaching girls and boys in the game of basketball and baseball, as well as being a part-time phys-ed teacher. When the highly-admired Philadelphian died in 2016, he was the last remaining member of the BAA's first champions.

He married Eileen Rafferty and they had two sons.



Source:
Philly.com Obituary

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rulloje01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=rulloje01

Giff Roux

Gifford H. Roux


Born:
June 28, 1923
Bonne Terre, MO

Died:
August 19, 2011
Alton, IL


Career
1939-40 Wood River High School - Illinois (High School)
1940-41 Wood River High School - Illinois (High School)
1944-45 Port Charleston Coast Guard Five (military)
1946-47 St. Louis Bombers (BAA)
1947-48 St. Louis Bombers (BAA)
1948-49 St. Louis Bombers (BAA)
1948-49 Providence Steamrollers (BAA)
1950-51 Wood River Legion (Independent)

Roux graduated from Wood River HS in 1941, and enrolled at Kansas University. However, in November of 1941, we left school due to his father's illness. He served in the Coast Guard during World War 2, and played in the BAA for three seasons. Giff died in Alton in 2011.

He had one son and one daughter.

Source:
Alton Evening Telegraph, November 25, 1941
Alton Evening Telegraph, October 7, 1944
Alton Evening Telegraph, January 15, 1951

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rouxgi01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=rouxgi01

Irv Rothenberg

Irwin Paul Rothenberg


Born:
December 31, 1921
The Bronx, NY

Died:
July 18, 2009
Delray Beach, FL


Career
Roosevelt High School - The Bronx, NY (High School)
1941-42 Long Island University (College)
1942-43 Long Island University (College)
1942-43 Fort Monmouth (Military)
1943-44 Long Island University (College)
1943-44 Peterboro Bendix Aviation (Military)
1944-45 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1944-45 Hartford Pros (Independent)
1944-45 Newark CO2's (Independent)
1945-46 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1945-46 New York Gothams (ABL)
1946-47 Cleveland Rebels (BAA)
1947-48 Washington Capitols (BAA)
1947-48 Baltimore Bullets (BAA)
1947-48 St. Louis Bombers (BAA)
1948-49 New York Knicks (BAA)
1949-50 Schenectady Packers (ABL)
1949-50 Paterson Crescents (ABL)
1950-51 Paterson Crescents (ABL)

Irv served in the U.S. Army during World War 2.

In January of 1948, the Bullets traded Rothenberg to the Bombers for Grady Lewis. St. Louis would sell him to the Knicks just prior to the 48-49 season.

He was married to Gloria and they had a son and a daughter. He later remarried to Esther.

Source:
Sun Sentinel Obituary

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rotheir01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=rotheir01

Hank Rosenstein

Henry Rosenstein



Born:
June 16, 1920
Brooklyn, NY

Died:
February 27, 2010
Boca Raton, FL


Career
Boys High School - Brooklyn (High School)
CCNY (College) - Apparently did not play basketball there
1941-42 Brooklyn Jewish Center (Independent)
1944-45 Naval Armed Guard (Military)
1946-47 New York Knicks (BAA)
1946-47 Providence Steamrollers (BAA)
1947-48 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1947-48 Cohoes Mastadons (NYSL)
1948-49 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1948-49 Cohoes Mastadons (NYSL) 
1949-50 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1950-51 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1951-52 Saratoga Yankees (ABL)
1952-53 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)
1952-53 Elmira Colonels (ABL) 
1956-57 Scranton Miners (EBL) Head coach
1957-58 Scranton Miners (EBL) Head coach
1958-59 Scranton Miners (EBL) Head coach
1959-60 Scranton Miners (EBL) Head coach 
1961-62 Williamsport Billies (EBL) Head coach
1963-64 Scranton Miners (EBL) Head coach
1964-65 Scranton Miners (EBL) Head coach
1965-66 Wilkes-Barre Barons (EBL) Head coach
1966-67 Asbury Park Boardwalkers (EBL) Head coach
1967-68 Asbury Park Boardwalkers (EBL) Head coach


He served in the U.S. Navy during World War 2. He played in the BAA, including as a participant in the first BAA game with the Knicks. He moved to the Scranton Miners of the ABL, and played in the ABL for six seasons. He would become a head coach in the Eastern League for many years.  professional basketball for five years. He later coached semi-pro basketball.

He died in Florida of heart failure at the age of 89. He had three sons.

Source:
Grave and Obit

Stats:
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=rosenha01
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rosenha01.html

Petey Rosenberg

Alexander "Petey" Rosenberg


Born:
April 7, 1918
Philadelphia, PA

Died:
June 29, 1997
Claymont, DE


Career
1934-35 South Philadelphia High School (High School)
1935-36 South Philadelphia High School (High School)
1936-37 Brown Prep - Philadelphia (High School)
1937-38 St. Joseph's - Pennsylvania (College)
1938-39 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1939-40 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1940-41 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1941-42 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1942-43 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1943-44 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1944-45 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1945-46 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1946-47 Philadelphia Warriors (BAA)

A very skilled basketball player at South Philadelphia High School, Rosenberg was approached by many prep schools in south Philly, but lacked the credits to be eligible. Despite being from a poor family, Petey's father was finally able to get him into Brown Prep. He went to St. Joseph's, but left school to play professionally with the SPHA's. After many years with the club, he moved to the Warriors in the BAA for one season, where the Warriors won the championship. He also served in the U.S. Army during World War 2, stationed in the Pacific. After basketball, he operated a steak shop in south Philly, and also managed a trucking company. He died of heart and kidney failure in 1997.


Source:
Philadelphia Inquirer, April 26, 1979
Philadelphia Daily News, July 2, 1997
Philadelphia Inquirer, July 2, 1997


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rosenpe01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=rosenpe01

Don Putnam

James Donald Putnam


Born:
November 13, 1922
Wray, CO

Died:
June 26, 2006



Career
Boulder Prep - Colorado (High School)
1941-42 Colorado University (College)
1942-43 Colorado University (College)
1944-45 Colorado University (College)
1944-45 Buckley Field (Military) 
1945-46 Colorado University (College)
1945-46 Denver Ambrose Jellymakers - Denver (ABL-AAU)
1946-47 St. Louis Bombers (BAA)
1947-48 St. Louis Bombers (BAA)
1948-49 St. Louis Bombers (BAA)
1949-50 St. Louis Bombers (NBA)

Putnam is listed in some places as playing at the University of Denver, I only found that he played four years at Colorado.

Source:
Colorado Buffaloes All-Time Letter Winners

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/putnado01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=putnado01

Henry Pearcy

Henry Earl Pearcy, Sr.


Born:
July 21, 1922
Martinsville, IN

Died:
January 11, 2002
Martinsville, IN


Career
1937-38 Martinsville High School - Indiana (High School)
1938-39 Martinsville High School - Indiana (High School)
1939-40 Martinsville High School - Indiana (High School)
1940-41 Indiana State (College)
1941-42 Indiana State (College)
1942-43 Indiana State (College)
1946-47 Detroit Falcons (BAA)
1951-52 Worthington High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach 

Henry's brother George also played basketball at Indiana State, and the siblings played together with the Falcons. He was a pilot in Europe during World War 2.

After playing with the Detroit Falcons (along with his brother), Pearcy moved on to coach and teach at Worthington High School, and later was principal at Martinsville HS.

Henry married Ruth Shane (b. 1923) on Christmas Eve in 1942 and they had two sons and three daughters.

Source:
Grave and Obit




Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/pearche01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=pearche01

George Pearcy

George William Pearcy


Born:
July 2, 1919
Martinsville, IN

Died:
September 14, 1992
Martinsville, IN


Career
1935-36 Martinsville High School - Indiana (High School)
1936-37 Martinsville High School - Indiana (High School)
1937-38 Martinsville High School - Indiana (High School)
1939-40 Indiana State (College)
1940-41 Indiana State (College)
1941-42 Indiana State (College)
1946-47 Detroit Falcons (BAA)
1948-49 Linton High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1949-50 Linton High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1950-51 Linton High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1951-52 Linton High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach
1952-53 Linton High School - Indiana (High School) Head coach 

Born to Earl and Hazel Pearcy in Martinsville, Indiana, Pearcy was a paratrooper in World War 2. He and his brother Henry both went to Indiana State and followed their coach Glenn Curtis to the Detroit Falcons. He later coached at Linton HS and then worked at a medical supply company.


Married to Dorothy (1917-1994)

Source:


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/pearcge01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=pearcge01

George Pastushok

George Alexander Pastushok


Born:
July 13, 1922
Brooklyn, NY

Died:
December 12, 2003
Charlotte, NC


Career
1939-40 Alexander Hamilton High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1940-41 John Adams High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1941-42 St. John's University (College) Freshmen
1942-43 St. John's University (College)
1944-45 Brooklyn Naval Armed Guard (Military)
1945-46 St. John's University (College)
1946-47 Allentown Canaries (EBL)
1946-47 Elizabeth Braves (ABL)
1946-47 Paterson Crescents (ABL)
1946-47 Providence Steamrollers (BAA)
1947-48 Bridgeport Brass Bears (NEBL)

Pastushok went to Hamilton HS in Brooklyn before transferring to Adams for his senior year. He enrolled at St. John's where he played before entering the U.S. Navy during World War 2. After the war, he played basketball professionally for a few season.


Source:
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, November 17, 1939
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, April 7, 1941
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, December 22, 1944
Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), March 26, 1991
Courier-News (Bridgewater, NJ), November 29, 1991

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/pastuge01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=pastuge01

Marty Passaglia

Martin Harold Passaglia


Born:
April 22, 1919
Gate, WA

Died:
July 17, 2004
Capay, CA


Career
1936-37 Galileo High School - San Francisco (High School)
1939-40 Santa Clara (College)
1940-41 Santa Clara (College)
1941-42 Aberdeen Proving Grounds - Maryland (Military)
1941-42 Young Man's Hebrew Association (Baltimore Basketball League)
1942-43 Aberdeen Proving Grounds - Maryland (Military)
1945-46 Dayton Mickeys (Independent)
1945-46 Dayton Kitty Hawks (Independent)
1946-47 Washington Capitols (BAA)
1947-48 St. Paul Saints (PBLA)
1948-49 Indianapolis Jets (BAA)
1967-68 Oakland Oaks (ABA) Assistant coach

While in the military, Passaglia played for the Aberdeen Proving Grounds team, which played exhibition games against some professional teams. Because of these games, Passaglia was declared to not be eligible for amateur teams, including AAU teams. He fought to have military personal not lose their amateur status while in the military, a battle he won. Later, while with the Capitols, he had to sue the Dayton Metropolitans to be released from the contract he had signed with them.

After playing basketball professionally for a few years, he became an insurance agent in Louisville, and later worked at Fort Knox

He married Hetty Kelly, whom he met at a theater where she was a ticket taker, in 1942, and they had a son and a daughter.

Source:
L.A. Times, April 9, 1942
Baltimore Sun, December 12, 1946
Chico Enterprise, July 21, 2004


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/passama01.html
http://w ww.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=passama01

Doyle Parrack

Doyle Kenneth Parrack


Born:
December 6, 1921
Cotton County, OK

Died:
September 5, 2008
Perkins, OK


Career
Union Valley High School - Oklahoma (High School)
Connors State - Oklahoma (College)
1943-44 Oklahoma A&M aka Oklahoma State University (College)
1944-45 Oklahoma A&M aka Oklahoma State University (College)
1945-46 Shawnee High School (High School) Head coach
1946-47 Chicago Stags (BAA)
1947-48 Oklahoma City University (College) Head coach
1948-49 Oklahoma City University (College) Head coach
1949-50 Oklahoma City University (College) Head coach
1950-51 Oklahoma City University (College) Head coach
1951-52 Oklahoma City University (College) Head coach
1952-53 Oklahoma City University (College) Head coach
1953-54 Oklahoma City University (College) Head coach
1954-55 Oklahoma City University (College) Head coach
1955-56 University of Oklahoma (College) Head coach
1956-57 University of Oklahoma (College) Head coach
1957-58 University of Oklahoma (College) Head coach
1958-59 University of Oklahoma (College) Head coach
1959-60 University of Oklahoma (College) Head coach
1960-61 University of Oklahoma (College) Head coach
1961-62 University of Oklahoma (College) Head coach
1962-63 Oklahoma State University (College) Assistant coach
1963-64 Oklahoma State University (College) Assistant coach
1964-65 Oklahoma State University (College) Assistant coach
1965-66 Oklahoma State University (College) Assistant coach
1966-67 Oklahoma State University (College) Assistant coach
1967-68 Oklahoma State University (College) Assistant coach
1968-69 Oklahoma State University (College) Assistant coach
1969-70 Oklahoma State University (College) Assistant coach
1972 Israeli National Team - Head coach
1978-79 University of Oklahoma (College) Head coach (Women)
1979-80 University of Oklahoma (College) Head coach (Women)



Parrack played briefly in the BAA before a lengthy career as a coach at the college level. After years leading the Sooners, he took an assistant job at OSU under his friend and mentor, Henry Iba.

He was married to Charlotte in 1952 and had two sons and two daughters.


Source:
Miami Daily News Record, July 29, 1945
Miami Daily News Record, August 1, 1946 
Tributes.com
Oklahoma City University
News Oklahoma Obituary

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/parrado01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=parrado01

Bud Palmer

John Shove "Bud" Palmer


Born:
September 14, 1921
Hollywood, CA

Died:
March 21, 2013
West Palm Beach, FL


Career
Phillips-Exeter Academy - New Hampshire (High School)
1941-42 Princeton University (College)
1942-43 Princeton University (College)
1946-47 New York Knicks (BAA)
1947-48 New York Knicks (BAA)
1948-49 New York Knicks (BAA)

The son of Hollywood actor Maurice "Lefty" Flynn and Blanche Palmer, Bud took his mother's name after the couple divorced. He moved with his mother to Switzerland and then later to Princeton, where Bud would go to college after attending Phillips-Exeter. Palmer also played football and lacrosse while at Princeton.  After serving in World War 2 as a pilot, Palmer played three seasons for the Knicks, where he was one of the first users of the jump shot.. He worked for many years in the entertainment arena in New York, as a sportscaster, and as the host of a children's show.

Bud died in 2012 after suffering from prostate cancer. Married four times, he had three daughters and a son.

Source:
NY Times Obituary

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/palmebu01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=palmebu01

George Nostrand

George Thomas Nostrand


Born:
January 25, 1924
Uniondale, NY

Died:
November 8, 1991
Bellows Falls, VT


Career
Uniondale High School - New York (High School)
1941-42 High Point University (College)
1942-43 High Point University (College)
1943-44 High Point University (College)
1944-45 University of Wyoming (College)
1946-47 Toronto Huskies (BAA)
1946-47 Cleveland Rebels (BAA)
1947-48 Providence Steamrollers (BAA)
1948-49 Providence Steamrollers (BAA)
1948-49 Boston Celtics (BAA)
1949-50 Boston Celtics (NBA)
1949-50 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBA)
1949-50 Chicago Stags (NBA)
1950-51 Meriden Sons of Italy (EBL-Ct)
1952-53 Pawtucket Slaters (ABL)


After his basketball playing days, Nostrand went on to became a teacher.

He was married to Eleanor Burmester and they had five sons and four daughters.

Source:
Burlington Free Press, January 21, 1981
Son's Obituary
Correction fom his grandson

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nostrge01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=nostrge01

Johnny Norlander

John Arthur Norlander


Born:
March 5, 1921
Virginia, MN

Died:
March 6, 2002
Virginia, MN


Career
1936-37 Roosevelt High School - Virginia, MN (High School)
1937-38 Roosevelt High School - Virginia, MN (High School)
1938-39 Roosevelt High School - Virginia, MN (High School)
1940-41 Hamline College - Minnesota (College)
1941-42 Hamline College - Minnesota (College)
1942-43 Hamline College - Minnesota (College)
1943-44 Bainbridge Naval (Military)
1945-46 Auerbach All-Stars (Independent)
1945-46 Baltimore Bullets (ABL)
1946-47 Washington Capitols (BAA)
1947-48 Washington Capitols (BAA)
1948-49 Washington Capitols (BAA)
1949-50 Washington Capitols (NBA)
1950-51 Washington Capitols (NBA)
1950-51 York Victories (EPBL)

Born in Minnesota to John and Martha Norlander, Johnny attended Roosevelt HS and afterwards moved on to Hamline College where he lead the Pipers to a 1942 championship. After graduating, he served in the U.S. Navy, stationed at Norfolk, and after the war played basketball professionally, primarily with the Washington Capitols. He worked for 23 years as a salesman at Converse.

Johnny married Lois Larson in October of 1943. Following her death in 1962, Johnny remarried to Bernice Anderson Ash in 1963. He had three sons and a daughter.

Source:
Obituary, Mesabi Daily News, virginiamn.com
Baltimore Sun, February 24, 1944

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/norlajo01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=norlajo01

Angelo Musi

Angelo "Tony" Musi, Jr.
(also played as Bob Lesse and Bob Lesse)


Born:
July 25, 1918
Philadelphia, PA

Died:
October 19, 2009
Bryn Mawr, PA



Career
Overbrook High School - Philadelphia (High School)
Brown Preperatory - Philadelphia
1939-40 Temple University (College)
1940-41 Temple University (College)
1941-42 Temple University (College)
1943-44 Wilmington Blue Bombers (ABL)
1943-44 Aberdeen (Md) Proving Ground (Military)
1944-45 Wilmington Bombers (ABL)
1946-47 Philadelphia Warriors (BAA)
1947-48 Philadelphia Warriors (BAA)
1948-49 Philadelphia Warriors (BAA)
1949-50 Trenton Tigers (ABL) Head coach / player

Born to Angelo and Concettra Musi, Tony went to Temple where he played basketball and baseball.  He served in the U.S. Army during World War 2, earning the Bronze Star while stationed in the Philippines. After his pro basketball career, he worked in the vending machine industry for Variety Vending Company and Macke Vending, retiring in 1983.

He was married to Lydia Villani (1918-2006) and they had a son and a daughter..

Source:
News Journal (Wilmington, DE), February 5, 1944
Philadelphia Inquirer, October 22, 2009
Philadelphia Daily News, October 22, 2009

Grave and Obituary

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/musian01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=musian01

Johnny "Moe" Murphy

John Francis "Moe" Murphy


Born:
September 13, 1924
Philadelphia, PA

Died:
January 29, 2003
Philadelphia, PA


Career
1939-40 Simon Gratz High School - Philadelphia (High School)
1940-41 Simon Gratz High School - Philadelphia (High School)
1941-42 Simon Gratz High School - Philadelphia (High School)
1944-45 Wilmington Bombers (ABL)
1945-46 Wilmington Bombers (ABL)
1946-47 Wilmington Bombers (ABL)
1946-47 Philadelphia Warriors (BAA)
1946-47 New York Knicks (BAA)
1947-48 Lancaster Roses (ABL)
1947-48 Lancaster Red Roses (EPBL)

1948-49 Pottsville Packers (EPBL)
1948-49 Birmingham Steelers (SPBL)

1949-50 Reading Rangers (EPBL)  *

Born to John and Catherine Murphy in Philadelphia, Murphy starred on the court and on the baseball diamond at Simon Gratz HS and entered the U.S. Army after graduating, stationed at Fort Bragg. He played with the Bombers before joining up with the Warriors. He was traded to the Knicks in mid-season.

Murphy returned to the ABL in the next season, playing with the Lancaster club (while also playing with the Lancaster club in the Eastern League. According to his obituary, he then played for the SPHA's and the Stars in Philadelphia before quitting the game. He worked at a bakery for many years, and died in 2003.

He married Estelle Polaski and they had one son, John Jr.

* Different John Murphy than the one who played at beginning of 1949-50 season with Berwick  

Source:
Philadelphia Daily News, January 31, 2003

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/murphjo01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=murphjo01

Dick Murphy

Richard D. Murphy


Born:
March 10, 1921
New York

Died:
October 22, 1973
Los Angeles, CA


Career
1938-39 St. Agnes High School - College Point, NY (High School)
1940-41 Manhattan College (College)
1941-42 Manhattan College (College)
1942-43 Manhattan College (College)
1946-47 New York Knicks (BAA)
1946-47 Boston Celtics (BAA)
1946-47 Elizabeth Braves (ABL)
1946-47 Brooklyn Gothams (ABL)
1947-48 Bridgeport Springwoods (EBL-Ct)
1947-48 Paterson Crescents (ABL)
1947-48 Twin Cities Celtics (NYSL)
1948-49 Paterson Crescents (ABL)
1949-50 Paterson Crescents (ABL)


I can't find a lot of information about Dick.

Source:


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/murphdi01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=murphdi01

George Munroe

George Barber Munroe


Born:
January 5, 1922
Joliet, IL

Died:
August 19, 2014
New York, NY


Career
1936-37 Joliet High School - Illinois (High School)
1937-38 Joliet High School - Illinois (High School)
1938-39 Joliet High School - Illinois (High School)
1940-41 Dartmouth (College)
1941-42 Dartmouth (College)
1942-43 Dartmouth (College)
1946-47 St. Louis Bombers (BAA)
1947-48 Boston Celtics (BAA)

Munroe served in the navy during World War 2. He was a Rhodes Scholar who later became a lawyer and the CEO of Phelps Dodge.

He married Helen Taylor in 1945, with that union ending in divorce in 1964. He remarried to Elinor Bunnin in 1969 and had two sons.

Source:
Freeport Journal Standard, March 22, 1939
Obituary


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/munroge01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=munroge01

Bob Mullens

Robert Joseph Mullens


Born:
November 1, 1922
Brooklyn, NY

Died:
July 15, 1989
Staten Island, NY


Career
1938-39 Brooklyn Prep at Brooklyn, NY(High School)
1939-40 Brooklyn Prep at Brooklyn, NY(High School)
1941-42 Fordham University (College)
1942-43 Fordham University (College)
1943-44 Fordham University (College)
1946-47 New York Knicks (BAA)
1946-47 Toronto Huskies (BAA)
1947-48 Elizabeth Braves (ABL)
1947-48 Paterson Crescents (ABL)
1947-48 Twin Cities Celtics (NYSL)
1948-49 Paterson Crescents (ABL)
1949-50 Paterson Crescents (ABL)
1950-51 Paterson Crescents (ABL)

After his playing career, Mullens work at J.J. Kenney brokerage house, specializing in municipal bonds. He died from a brain tumor in 1989.

He was married to Geraldine Lynch and they had three daughters and two sons.

Source:
Obituary, NY Times, July 26, 1989

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mullebo01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mullebo01