1948-49 Philadelphia Warriors (BAA)

1948-49 PHILADELPHIA WARRIORS
BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
Eastern Division
Finished: 28-32 .467, 4th place

Eastern Division Semifinals - Lost to Washington, 2-0

• Head Coach: Eddie Gottlieb (September 15, 1898 - December 7, 1979)

PLAYERS: 

• Gale Bishop (June 4, 1922 - December 26, 2003)

Biography

• Jake Bornheimer (June 29, 1927 - September 10, 1986)

Biography

• Chink Crossin (July 4, 1923 - January 10, 1981)

Biography

• Howie Dallmar (May 24, 1922 - December 19, 1991)

Biography

• Phil Farbman (April 3, 1924 - September 6, 1996)

Biography

• Jerry Fleishman (February 14, 1922 - June 20, 2007)

Biography

• Joe Fulks (October 26, 1921 - March 21, 1976)

Biography

• Elmore Morgenthaler (August 3, 1922 - November 25, 1997)

Biography

• Angelo Musi (July 25, 1918 - October 19, 2009)

Biography

• Bob O'Brien (January 26, 1927 - September 19, 2008)

Biography

• Roy Pugh (October 16, 1922 - August 3, 2006)

Biography

• Jerry Rullo (June 23, 1922 - October 21, 2016)

Biography

• Ed Sadowski (July 11, 1915 - September 18, 1990)

Biography

• George Senesky (April 4, 1922 - June 25, 2001)

Biography

• Irv Torgoff (March 6, 1917 - October 21, 1993)

Biography

1948-49 New York Knicks (BAA)

1948-49 NEW YORK KNICKS
BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
Eastern Division
Finished: 32-28 .533 2nd place

Eastern Division Semifinals - Defeated Baltimore, 2-1
Eastern Division Finals - Lost to Washington, 2-1

• Head Coach: Joe Lapchick  (April 12, 1900 - August 10, 1970)

PLAYERS: 

• Carl Braun (September 25, 1927 - February 10, 2010)

Biography

• Tommy Byrnes (February 19, 1923 - January 9, 1981)

Biography

• Joe Colone (January 23, 1924 - July 1, 2009)

Biography

• Harry Gallatin (April 26, 1927 - October 7, 2015)

Biography

• Gene James (February 15, 1925 - July 6, 1997)

Biography

• Lee Knorek (July 15, 1921 - July 22, 2003)

Biography

• Ray Kuka (February 17, 1922 - March 27, 1990)

Biography

• Ray Lumpp (July 11, 1923 - January 16, 2015)

Biography

• Mel McGaha (September 26, 1926 - February 3, 2002)

Biography

• Paul Noel (August 17, 1924 - November 16, 2005)

Biography

• Bud Palmer (September 14, 1921 - March 21, 2013)

Biography

• Tex Ritter (February 26, 1924 - October 15, 2004)

Biography

• Irv Rothenberg (December 31, 1921 - July 18, 2009)

Biography

• Dick Shrider (February 7, 1923 - January 14, 2014)

Biography

• Sid Tanenbaum (October 8, 1925 - September 4, 1986)

Biography

• Butch Van Breda Kolff (October 28, 1922 - August 22, 2007)

Biography

1948-49 Minneapolis Lakers (BAA)

1948-49 MINNEAPOLIS LAKERS
BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
Western Division
Finished: 44-16 .733, 2nd place

Western Division Semifinals - Defeated Chicago, 2-0
Western Division Finals - Defeated Rochester, 2-0
BAA Championship- Defeated Washington, 4-2

• Head Coach:  John Kundla (July 13, 1916 - July 23, 2017)
  

PLAYERS: 

• Mike Bloom (January 14, 1915 - June 5, 1993)

Biography

• Don Carlson (March 22, 1919 - October 16, 2004)

Biography

• Jack Dwan (May 3, 1921 - August 4, 1993)

Biography

• Ray Ellefson (November 18, 1922 - October 7, 1994)

Biography

• Arnie Ferrin (July 29, 1925 - December 27,2022)

Biography

• Donnie Forman (January 17, 1926 - May 10, 2018)

Biography

• Earl Gardner (September 18, 1923 - October 15, 2005)

Biography

• Tony Jaros (February 21, 1920 - April 22, 1995)

Biography

• Johnny Jorgensen (December 28, 1921 - January 19, 1973)

Biography

• Whitey Kachan (September 15, 1925 - March 7, 1993)

Biography

• George Mikan (June 18, 1924 - June 1, 2005)

Biography

• Jim Pollard (July 9, 1922 - January 22, 1993)

Biography

• Herm Schaefer (December 20, 1918 - March 21, 1980)

Biography

• Don Smith (July 27, 1920 - March 1, 1996)

Biography

• Jack Tingle (December 30, 1924 - September 22, 1958)

Biography

1948-49 Indianapolis Jets (BAA)

1948-49 INDIANAPOLIS JETS
BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
Western Division
Finished: 18-42 .300, 6th place

• Head Coaches: 

Bruce Hale (August 30, 1918 - December 31, 1980) 4-13 - also played (see below)
Burl Friddle (May 27, 1900 - October 11, 1978) 14-29



PLAYERS: 

• Charlie Black (June 15, 1921 - December 22, 1992)

Biography

• Price Brookfield (May 11, 1920 - April 17, 2006)

Biography

• Tommy Byrnes (February 19, 1923 - January 9, 1981)

Biography

• Jack Eskridge (January 21, 1924 - February 11, 2013)

Biography

• George Glamack (June 7, 1918 - March 10, 1987)

Biography

• Bruce Hale (August 30, 1918 - December 31, 1980)

Biography

• Ralph Hamilton (June 10, 1921 - June 5, 1983)

Biography

• Walt Kirk (September 3, 1924 - December 12, 2012)

Biography

• Andy Kostecka (February 10, 1921 - January 17, 2007)

Biography

• Freddie Lewis (January 6, 1921 - December 27, 1994)

Biography

• Ray Lumpp (July 11, 1923 - January 16, 2015)

Biography

• Jack Maddox (December 10, 1919 - July 9, 2006)

Biography

• John Mahnken (June 16, 1922 - December 14, 2000)

Biography

• Lionel Malamed (November 15, 1924 - September 17, 1989)

Biography

• John Mandic (October 3, 1919 - June 22, 2003)

Biography

• Leo Mogus (April 13, 1921 - May 31, 1971)

Biography

• Fritz Nagy (January 3, 1924 - June 5, 1989)

Biography

• Paul Napolitano (February 3, 1923 - June 22, 1997)

Biography

• Marty Passaglia (April 22, 1919 - July 17, 2004)

Biography

• Roy Pugh (October 16, 1922 - August 3, 2006)

Biography

• Jim Springer (June 17, 1926 - February 19, 2018)

Biography

• Jim Spruill (February 26, 1923 - January 8, 2006)

Biography

• Hal Tidrick (April 4, 1915 - April 2, 1974)

Biography

• Blackie Towery (June 20, 1920 - November 25, 2012)

Biography

• Dick Wehr (December 9, 1925 - December 1, 2011)

Biography

1948-49 Fort Wayne Pistons (BAA)

1948-49 FORT WAYNE PISTONS
BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
Western Division
Finished: 22-38 .367, 5th place

• Head Coaches:

Carl Bennett (December 17, 1915 - May 16, 2013)  0-6
Curly Armstrong (June 11, 1920 - November 22, 2009) 22-32  - Also played. See below


PLAYERS: 

• Curly Armstrong (June 11, 1920 - November 22, 2009)

Biography

• Charlie Black (June 15, 1921 - December 22, 1992)

Biography

• Dillard Crocker (January 19, 1925 - September 1, 2014)

Biography

• Bruce Hale (August 30, 1918 - December 31, 1980)

Biography

• Ralph Hamilton (June 10, 1921 - June 5, 1983)

Biography

• Bill Henry (December 27, 1924 - January 9, 1985)

Biography

• Bob Kinney (September 16, 1920 - September 2, 1985)

Biography

• Walt Kirk (September 3, 1924 - December 12, 2012)

Biography

• Leo Klier (May 21, 1923 - June 4, 2005)

Biography

• John Mahnken (June 16, 1922 - December 14, 2000)

Biography

• Leo Mogus (April 13, 1921 - May 31, 1971)

Biography

• Richie Niemiera (May 26, 1921 - December 27, 2003)

Biography

• Jake Pelkington (January 3, 1916 - May 1, 1982) 

Biography

• Roy Pugh (October 16, 1922 - August 3, 2006)

Biography

• Jack Smiley (December 22, 1922 - July 30, 2000)

Biography

• Bob Tough (August 28, 1920 - April 7, 1999)

Biography

• Blackie Towery (June 20, 1920 - November 25, 2012)

Biography

• Dick Triptow (November 3, 1922 - February 20, 2015)

Biography

• Ward Williams (June 26, 1923 - December 17, 2005)

Biography

1948-49 Chicago Stags (BAA)

1948-49 CHICAGO STAGS
BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
Western Division
Finished: 38-22 .633, 3rd place

Western Division Semi-finals - Lost to Minneapolis, 2-0

• Head Coaches: 

Harold Olsen (May 12, 1895 - October 29, 1953)  28-21
Phillip Brownstein (May 17, 1906 - February 11, 1999)  10-1


PLAYERS: 

• Mike Bloom (January 14, 1915 - June 5, 1993)

Biography

• Jim Browne (October 3, 1930 - April 23, 2003)

Biography

• Jack Eskridge (January 21, 1924 - February 11, 2013)

Biography

• Chuck Gilmur (August 13, 1922 - January 13, 2011)

Biography

• Joe Graboski (January 15, 1930 - July 2, 1998)

Biography

• Whitey Kachan (September 15, 1925 - March 7, 1993)

Biography

• Carl Meinhold (March 29, 1926 - February 23, 2019)

Biography

• Stan Miasek (September 19, 1923 - October 18, 1989)

Biography

• Ed Mikan (October 20, 1925 - October 22, 1999)

Biography

• Bill Miller (November 24, 1924 - July 9, 1991)

Biography

• Andy Phillip (March 7, 1922 - April 28, 2001)

Biography

• Bill Roberts (March 13, 1925 - January 23, 2016)

Biography

• Kenny Rollins (September 14, 1923 - October 9, 2012)

Biography

• Odie Spears (June 17, 1924 - March 28, 1985)

Biography

• Gene Vance (February 25, 1923 - February 16, 2012)

Biography

• Max Zaslofsky (December 7, 1925 - October 15, 1985)

Biography

1948-49 Boston Celtics (BAA)

1948-49 BOSTON CELTICS
BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
Eastern Division
Finished: 25-35 .417, 5th place

• Head Coach: Alvin Julian (April 5, 1901 - July 28, 1967)

PLAYERS: 

• Johnny Bach (July 10, 1924 - January 18, 2016)

Biography

• Hank Beenders (June 2, 1916 - October 25, 2003)

Biography

• Bob Doll (August 10, 1919 - September 13-14, 1959)

Biography

• Bulbs Ehlers (March 10, 1923 - June 17, 2013)

Biography

• Johnny Ezersky (March 21, 1922 - February 20, 2012)

Biography

• Phil Farbman (April 3, 1924 - September 6, 1996)

Biography

• Dutch Garfinkel (June 13, 1918 - August 14, 2003)

Biography

• Chick Halbert (February 27, 1919 - March 4, 2013)

Biography

• John Hazen (March 2, 1927 - October 21, 1998)

Biography

• George Kaftan (February 22, 1928 - October 6, 2018)

Biography

• Tom Kelly (March 5, 1924 - March 20, 2008)

Biography

• Bob Kinney (September 16, 1920 - September 2, 1985)

Biography

• Al Lucas (July 4, 1922 - April 26, 1995)

Biography

• George Nostrand (January 25, 1924 - November 8, 1991)

Biography

• Stan Noszka (September 9, 1920 - November 15, 1991)

Biography

• Dermie O'Connell (April 13, 1928 - October 5, 1988)

Biography

• Mel Riebe (July 12, 1916 - July 25, 1977 )

Biography

• Bill Roberts (March 13, 1925 - January 23, 2016)

Biography

• Jim Seminoff (September 1, 1922 - June 12, 2001)

Biography

• Earl Shannon (November 23, 1921 - July 8, 2002)

Biography

• Art Spector (October 17, 1918 - June 18, 1987)

Biography

• Gene Stump (August 9, 1925 - 2014)

Biography

1948-49 Baltimore Bullets (BAA)

1948-49 BALTIMORE BULLETS
BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
Eastern Division
Finished: 29-31 .483, 3rd place

Eastern Division Semi-Finals - Lost to New York, 2-1

• Head Coach: Buddy Jeannette (September 15, 1917 - March 11, 1998) also played. See below

PLAYERS: 

• Darrel Brown (March 14, 1923 - October 7, 1990)

Biography

• Walt Budko (June 30, 1925 - May 25, 2013)

Biography

• Johnny Ezersky (March 21, 1922 - February 20, 2012)

Biography

• Doug Holcomb (February 9, 1921 - February 3, 2008)

Biography

• Buddy Jeannette (September 15, 1917 - March 11, 1998)

Biography

• Dan Kraus (February 13, 1923 - December 28, 2012)

Biography

• Herb Krautblatt (November 19, 1926 - February 10, 1999)

Biography

• Freddie Lewis (January 6, 1921 - December 27, 1994)

Biography

• John Mahnken (June 16, 1922 - December 14, 2000)

Biography

• Don Martin (February 7, 1920 - September 30, 1997)

Biography

• Leo Mogus (April 13, 1921 - May 31, 1971)

Biography

• Jake Pelkington (January 3, 1916 - May 1, 1982) 

Biography

• Howie Rader (March 29, 1921 - February 2, 1991)

Biography

• Ray Ramsey (July 18, 1921 - August 25, 2009)

Biography

• Chick Reiser (December 17, 1914 - July 29, 1996)

Biography

• Connie Simmons (March 15, 1925 - April 15, 1989)

Biography

• Stan Stutz (April 14, 1920 - October 28, 1975)

Biography

• Sid Tanenbaum (October 8, 1925 - September 4, 1986)

Biography

• Hal Tidrick (April 4, 1915 - April 2, 1974)

Biography

• Jack Toomay (August 9, 1922 - March 11, 2008)

Biography

• Irv Torgoff (March 6, 1917 - October 21, 1993)

Biography

1948-49

The BAA and NBL continued their competition into the 1948-49 season. The BAA suffered financial losses in their second season, but still had the big city markets. The NBL continued to have the best players. Both leagues agreed to honor each other's contracts and operate independently and equally, and even talked about having the champions of each league meet in a championship series. (This idea never materialized.)

The BAA looked to the NBL to try and lure their better teams into their fold. The Lakers balked at the idea, but the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons and the Indianapolis Kautskys decided to jump from the NBL. (Because of BAA requirements against corporate names, the Fort Wayne Club had to drop "Zollner" and the Kautskys changed their name to the Jets.) After this announcement, the Lakers reexamined their options and decided to join the BAA, too. The Rochester Royals followed, and now the BAA stood at 12 teams, including two of the better squads (Lakers and Royals) of the previous season's NBL. They returned to a 60-game schedule, and the realignment of the two divisions with the new teams allowed for easier travel.

The departure of the four teams would prove to be a fatal wound for the NBL. They hastily recruited four teams to replace the four that left for the BAA, but with the loss of marquis players and teams, the NBL was doomed. The 1948-49 season was the last one for the National Basketball League.

Gene Vance

Ellis Eugene "Gene" Vance


Born:
February 25, 1923
Peru, IL

Died:
February 16, 2012
Champaign, IL


Career
1938-39 Clinton High School - Illinois (High School)
1939-40 Clinton High School - Illinois (High School)
1940-41 University of Illinois (College) Freshmen
1941-42 University of Illinois (College)
1942-43 University of Illinois (College)
1946-47 University of Illinois (College)
1947-48 Chicago Stags (BAA)
1948-49 Chicago Stags (BAA)
1949-50 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBA)
1950-51 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBA)
1951-52 Milwaukee Hawks (NBA)
1952-53 LaSalle-Peru - Illinois (High School) Head coach
1953-54 LaSalle-Peru - Illinois (High School) Head coach
1954-55 LaSalle-Peru - Illinois (High School) Head coach
1955-56 LaSalle-Peru - Illinois (High School) Head coach

From Clinton, Illinois, Vance was a member of the Illini's "Whiz Kids" in the early 40's. Like his teammates, he left college to serve in the Army during World War 2, and then returned to Illinois after the war. He played pro ball for Chicago, Milwaukee and Tri-Cities, with some time off to serve his country in Korea. He retired to coach high school basketball at LaSalle-Peru High School. He quit in 1956 to work an administrative job for the Illini's alumni organization and later wound up their Athletic Director.

Vance married Grace Hoberg (d. 1980) in 1943. They had two boys and two girls.

Source:
News Gazette, March 20, 2012
Grave and Biography

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/v/vancege01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=vancege01

Jack Toomay

John Crawford Toomay


Born:
August 9, 1922
Ontario, CA

Died:
March 11, 2008
Carlsbad, CA


Career
1938-39 Webb High School - Claremont, CA (High School)
1939-40 Webb High School - Claremont, CA (High School)
1941-42 College of Pacific (College)
1942-43 College of Pacific (College)
1943-44 College of Pacific (College)
1946-47 College of Pacific (College)
1947-48 Chicago Stags (BAA)
1947-48 Providence Steamrollers (BAA)
1948-49 Washington Capitols (BAA)
1948-49 Baltimore Bullets (BAA)
1949-50 Denver Nuggets (NBA)

Toomy served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War 2, and then after college played professional basketball for three seasons before being recalled into the Air Force for the Korean War. He stayed in the Air Force until retiring in 1979, having attained the rank of Major General. He worked at the Pentagon through most of the 1970's, formulating nuclear missle projects and other defense plans. Toomay died of peritonitis in 2008.

He was married to Virginia Sadler (1924-2005) on October 11, 1944,  and one of their sons, Pat Toomay, played in the NFL.



Source:
Obituary, Dallas Morning News, March 16, 2008
Chicago Tribune, April 8, 2008

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/toomaja01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=toomaja01

Jack Tingle

Robert Jackson "Jack" Tingle


Born:
December 30, 1924
Bedford, KY

Died:
September 22, 1958
Louisville, KY


Career
1940-41 Trimble County High School - Bedford, KY (High School)
1941-42 Trimble County High School - Bedford, KY (High School)
1942-43 Trimble County High School - Bedford, KY (High School)
1943-44 University of Kentucky (College)
1944-45 University of Kentucky (College)
1945-46 University of Kentucky (College)
1946-47 University of Kentucky (College)
1947-48 Washington Capitols (BAA)
1948-49 Minneapolis Lakers (BAA)
1949-50 Hiseville High School - Kentucky (High School) Head coach
1950-51 Hiseville High School - Kentucky (High School) Head coach


Born to Howard and Mary Tingle, Jack was a basketball star at Trimble High School before heading off to UK. He played two seasons professionally and later coached Hiseville HS. In 1950, he took a job as a photoengraver at the Louisville Courier-Journal. Tingle died of cancer in 1958 at the young age of 33.

He married Joan Ruby and they had two daughters and a son.

Source:
Louisville Courier-Journal, September 23, 1958

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/tinglja01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=tinglja01

Sid Tanenbaum

Sidney Tanenbaum


Born:
October 8, 1925
Brooklyn, NY

Died:
September 4, 1986
Far Rockaway, NY


Career
1940-41 Thomas Jefferson High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1941-42 Thomas Jefferson High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1942-43 Thomas Jefferson High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1943-44 NYU (College)
1944-45 NYU (College)
1945-46 NYU (College)
1946-47 NYU (College)
1947-48 Jersey City Atoms (ABL)
1947-48 New York Knicks (BAA)
1948-49 New York Knicks (BAA)
1948-49 Baltimore Bullets (BAA)

Born in Brooklyn, Sid Tanenbaum starred at NYU, scoring just under 1000 point in his time there. He played a couple of seasons in the BAA before retiring, with travel being too much for him and not believing the league had a future. He returned to NYC to raise a family, but continued to play basketball recreationally through his 50's. He also played tennis and late in life gave a try at karate.
In September of 1986, Tanenbaum owner of Able Metal and Stamping in Far Rockaway, was at work when he was stabbed in the back with a steak knife. He died a short time later. 37 year-old Molly Dotsun was arrested a short-time later. Apparently she became irate when Tanenbaum wouldn't loan her $25. Dotsun was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 7-21 years in prison.

Sid was married to Barbara Wolfson and they had two sons.

Source:
New York Times, September 6, 1986
Obituary, Septmeber 6, 1986, New York Times
New York Times, September 21, 1993

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/tanensi01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=tanensi01

Gene Stump

Eugene Andrew Stump


Born:
August 9, 1925
Blue Island, IL

Died:
2014
West Palm Beach, FL


Career
1940-41 St. Rita's - Chicago (High School)
1941-42 St. Rita's - Chicago (High School)
1942-43 St. Rita's - Chicago (High School)
1943-44 DePaul University (College)
1944-45 DePaul University (College)
1945-46 DePaul University (College)
1946-47 DePaul University (College)
1947-48 Boston Celtics (BAA)
1948-49 Boston Celtics (BAA)
1949-50 Minneapolis Lakers (NBA)
1949-50 Waterloo Hawks (NBA)

Stump attended St. Rita's in Chicago, and then moved on the DePaul, where he was a prolific scorer and teammate of the legendary George Mikan. Gene played two years for the Celtics before splitting the 1949-50 season between the Lakers and the Hawks.

He married Elizabeth Coakley (1922-2006) and they had seven sons and two daughters.

Some sources list his birthdate as November 13, 1923, but based on school and draft records, I think that is the incorrect Gene Stump. 

DePaul Magazine from Fall 2014 has him listed in the memorial listings.

Source:


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/stumpge01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=stumpge01

Gene Rock

Eugene O. Rock


Born:
November 4, 1921
Carruthers, CA

Died:
October 31, 2002
San Diego, CA


Career
1937-38 Huntington Park High School - California (High School)
1938-39 Huntington Park High School - California (High School)
1939-40 Huntington Park High School - California (High School)
1940-41 USC (College) Freshmen
1941-42 USC (College)
1942-43 USC (College) 
1946-47 USC (College)
1947-48 Birmingham Skyhawks (PBLA)
1947-48 Chicago Stags (BAA)
1948-49 Los Angeles Police (Independent)

Rock starred at Huntington Park before enrolling at USC. He joined the Marines during World War two before returning to college after the war. 
After a brief basketball career, Rock returned to California where he worked for the L.A.P.D. as a captain in the robbery and homicide detective. In 1959, he took his son, Eugene Jr., and some friends on a weekend trip to the desert, where among other things, teaching them how to use firearms. When the boys went out later to shoot again, Eugene Jr. was shot when the gun accidentally discharged, Only 15, Junior died that night.

After retiring from the LAPD, he moved to San Diego, where he dies of cancer in 2002.

He married Jeanette Winstead and they had one daughter and three sons.

Source:
L.A. Times, April 6, 1959
USC Obituary

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rockge01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=rockge01

Red Rocha

Ephraim Joseph "Red" Rocha

Born:
September 18, 1923
Hilo, HI

Died:
February 13, 2010
Corvallis, OR


Career
1940-41 University of Hawaii (College)
1944-45 Oregon State University (College)
1945-46 Oregon State University (College)
1946-47 Oregon State University (College)
1947-48 St. Louis Bombers (BAA)
1948-49 St. Louis Bombers (BAA)
1949-50 St. Louis Bombers (NBA)
1950-51 Baltimore Bullets (NBA)
1951-52 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1952-53 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1954-55 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1955-56 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1956-57 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA)
1957-58 Detroit Pistons (NBA) Head coach
1958-59 Detroit Pistons (NBA) Head coach
1959-60 Detroit Pistons (NBA) Head coach
1961-62 Hawaii Chiefs (ABL) Head coach
1963-64 University of Hawaii (College) Head coach
1964-65 University of Hawaii (College) Head coach
1965-66 University of Hawaii (College) Head coach 
1966-67 University of Hawaii (College) Head coach
1967-68 University of Hawaii (College) Head coach 
1968-69 University of Hawaii (College) Head coach
1969-70 University of Hawaii (College) Head coach 
1970-71 University of Hawaii (College) Head coach
1971-72 University of Hawaii (College) Head coach 
1972-73 University of Hawaii (College) Head coach

Born in Hawaii, Rocha spent one year at UH before transferring to Oregon State. After finishing at Oregon State, Rocha played in the BAA.NBA for 8 seasons where he was an All-Star. He turned to coaching afterwards, and lead UH into the NIT and NCAA tournaments in the early 1970's. He was also the founder of the now-legendary Rainbow Classic college basketball tournament.

Rocha died of cancer in 2010.

He married Ginger (d. 2004) in 1946, and they had three daughters.

Source:
Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame
UH Obituary

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rochare01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=rochare01

Lee Robbins

Lee Roy Robbins


Born:
February 11, 1922
Rockwall, TX

Died:
April 8, 1968
Billings, MT


Career
1937-38 Greeley High School - Colorado (High School)
1938-39 Greeley High School - Colorado (High School)
1939-40 Greeley High School - Colorado (High School)
1940-41 Colorado University (College) Freshmen
1941-42 Colorado University (College)
1945-46 Colorado University (College)
1946-47 Colorado University (College)
1947-48 Twin Cities Celtics (NYSL)
1947-48 Providence Steamrollers (BAA)
1948-49 Providence Steamrollers (BAA)

Born in Texas, Robbins grew up in Greeley, Colorado. He attended Colorado University, with his education interrupted by a stint in the U.S. Army during the war. After graduating, he put in two seasons with the Steamrollers.
Robbins later moved to Montana, where he was owner of William H. Rorer Pharmaceuticals, president of Western Lithographs and vice president at Sportsman Supply Inc.

In April of 1968, Robbins went to Logan Airfield in Billings, Montana, for a business meeting. He failed to appear, and his body was found that night by two Eastern Montana University students on a road near the airport. He had been found shot twice in the head. Two months later, a burglary was committed where a watch dog was shot. One of the burglars was arrested receiving stolen goods, and he implicated his partners. One of these partners, Gary Lee Quigg, possessed the 22 caliber handgun that killed the dog. The bullets matched the ones that killed Robbins. Quigg was tried for Robbins murder, and the first trial ended in a hung jury. The second trial got the conviction, and Quigg was sentenced to life in prison. Quigg appealed to the state supreme court in 1970 but the conviction was upheld. Quigg was paroled in 2006.

Robbins and his wife, Janet, had two sons and a daughter.

Source:
Great Falls Tribune, April 10, 1968
Great Falls Tribune, April 12, 1968
Great Falls Tribune, April 9, 1969
Billings Gazette, April 3, 1970
State of Montana v. Gary Lee Quigg


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/robbile01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=robbile01

Andy Phillip

Andrew Michael "Handy Andy" Phillip


Born:
March 7, 1922
Granite City, IL

Died:
April 28, 2001
Rancho Mirage, CA


Career
1937-38 Granite City High School - Illinois (High School)
1938-39 Granite City High School - Illinois (High School)
1939-40 Granite City High School - Illinois (High School)
1940-41 University of Illinois (College) Freshmen
1941-42 University of Illinois (College)
1942-43 University of Illinois (College)
1943-44 Granite City Fleishman's (Independent)
1946-47 University of Illinois (College)
1947-48 Chicago Stags (BAA)
1948-49 Chicago Stags (BAA)
1949-50 Chicago Stags (NBA)
1950-51 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)
1951-52 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)
1952-53 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)
1952-53 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA)
1953-54 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA)
1954-55 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA)
1955-56 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA)
1956-57 Boston Celtics (NBA)
1957-58 Boston Celtics (NBA)
1958-59 St. Louis Hawks (NBA) Head coach
1961-62 Chicago Majors (ABL) Head coach

NATIONAL BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME, 1961

Phillip lead Granite City to the Illinois State Title in his senior year, and the enrolled at Illinois where as one of the "Whiz Kids" he broke the conference scoring record in his junior year. He left school to join the Marines, where he saw combat in the Pacific, including Iwo Jima. After his service, he returned to play at Illinois before graduating. He joined the Chicago Stags in 1947-48, commencing on a 12-year career in the BAA/NBA. One of the more highly-skilled passers the game has ever seen, Phillip's career ended when his knee problems became to much to bear. He tried his hand a coaching, before moving out to California where he worked as a probation officer.

Phillips died of congestive heart failure in 2001 at the age of 79.

He and his wife, Corky, had one son.

Source:
NY Times Obit, March 4, 2001

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/phillan01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=phillan01

Dick O'Keefe

Richard Thomas O'Keefe


Born:
September 29, 1923
San Francisco, CA

Died:
December 17, 2006
Greenbrae, CA


Career
St. James High School - San Francisco (High School)
1942-43 Santa Clara (College)
1943-44 College of the Pacific (College)
1946-47 Santa Clara (College)
1947-48 Washington Capitols (BAA)
1948-49 Washington Capitols (BAA)
1949-50 Washington Capitols (NBA)
1950-51 Washington Capitols (NBA)
1950-51 Allentown/Carbondale Aces (ABL)

1950-51 York Victories (EPBL)
1951-52 Washington Capitols (ABL)

Dick was born in San Francisco to Martin and Hannah O'Keefe. He played basketball at St. James High School and from there went on to Santa Clara. He entered the Marines during World War 2, where he played one season of college ball at the College of the Pacific (now Pacific University). He returned to Santa Clara after his service, and then played four seasons for the Capitols.

He later worked for many years as a security chief for various companies.


Source:
Oakland Tribune, January 22, 1944
Obituary, San Francisco Chronicle, March 11, 2007

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/okeefdi01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=okeefdi01

Bob O'Brien

Robert Lee O'Brien


Born:
January 26, 1927
Kansas City, MO

Died:
September 19, 2008
Castle Rock, CO


Career
1941-42 Westport High School - Kansas (High School)
1942-43 Westport High School - Kansas (High School)
1943-44 Westport High School - Kansas (High School)
1944-45 Pepperdine University (College)
1946-47 Kansas City M&O Smokies (ABL-AAU)
1947-48 Kansas City Blues (PBLA)
1947-48 Birmingham Vulcans (SPBL)
1947-48 Philadelphia Warriors (BAA)
1948-49 Philadelphia Warriors (BAA)
1948-49 St. Louis Bombers (BAA)
1949-50 Philadelphia SPHA's (Independent)
1950-51 Carbondale Aces (ABL)
1950-51 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)

1950-51 Pottsville Packers (EPBL)  
Washington Generals (Independent)

He went to Pepperdine before serving in the military. He allegedly went to Kansas University after the war, but apparently did not play basketball there (his name is absent from their all-time player list). After his professional basketball career, O'Brien went into teaching and coach. He later worked as an insurance salesman (as well as being in charge of insurance at True Value Corporation) and along with his wife was an accomplished amateur tennis player in Colorado.

He and his wife, Boots, had four daughters.

Source:
Obituary, Newport Daily News, Sept. 2008

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/obriebo01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=obriebo01

Paul Noel

Paul Wendel Noel


Born:
August 17, 1924
Midway, KY

Died:
November 16, 2005
Versailles, KY


Career
1939-40 Midway High School - Kentucky (High School)
1940-41 Midway High School - Kentucky (High School)
1941-42 Midway High School - Kentucky (High School)
1942-43 University of Kentucky (College)
1947-48 New York Knicks (BAA)
1948-49 New York Knicks (BAA)
1949-50 New York Knicks (NBA)
1950-51 Rochester Royals (NBA)
1951-52 Elmira Colonels (ABL)
1951-52 Rochester Royals (NBA)

Noel was born in Midway, Kentucky, to Paul and Willa Noel. After being a basketball player at Midway HS, Noel went to UK but had to leave school early to tend to the family farm after his dad became ill. After two seasons with the Royals, Noel returned home to Versailles where he was elected to two terms as mayor, and also owned and operated a drug store. He died of cancer in 2005.

He was married to Laura Blake and they had a son.

Source:
Legacy Obituary
Big Blue History

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/noelpa01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=noelpa01

Wat Misaka

Wataru Misaka


Born:
December 21, 1923
Ogden, UT

Died:
November 20, 2019
Salt Lake City, UT


Career
1938-39 Ogden High School - Utah (High School)
1939-40 Ogden High School - Utah (High School)
1940-41 Ogden High School - Utah (High School)
1941-42 Weber College - Utah (College)
1942-43 Weber College - Utah (College)
1943-44 University of Utah (College)
1946-47 University of Utah (College)
1947-48 New York Knicks (BAA)

Born in Utah to Japanese immigrants, Misaka was a player larger than his 5'7 frame. A great player at Ogden HS, we went on to Weber Junior College (now Weber State University) and transferred over to Utah, where he helped the Utes to the 1944 NCAA championship. It is worth noting that unlike many Japanese families in America, his family was not forced into internment camps, given the length of time his family had lived in Utah. He left to school to serve in the U.S. Army. He was one member of the occupying force who went to Hiroshima after the Japanese surrender, and witnessed the devastation first-hand. After his discharge, he went back to Utah and lead the to the 1947 NIT title. He was signed by the Knicks (not drafted, despite incorrect claims in many places) and although only playing three games, he was the first non-white player to play in the BAA/NBA. (The NBL had already had many black players and a few Asian players by then, but the BAA was still an all-white league.)

After the Knicks, he was invited to join the all-black Harlem Globetrotters, but declined to return to Utah.

There is a documentary about his life, which can be found for purchase at watmisaka.com.



Source:
NY Times, August 11, 2009

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/misakwa01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=misakwa01

Carl Meinhold

Carl Marvin "Red" Meinhold


Born:
March 29, 1926
West Hazleton, PA

Died:
February 23, 2019
Reading, PA


Career
1941-42 Hazleton High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1942-43 Hazleton High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1943-44 Hazleton High School - Pennsylvania (High School)
1944-45 Long Island University (College)
1945-46 Long Island University (College)
1946-47 Hazleton Mountaineers (EPBL)
1947-48 Baltimore Bullets (BAA)
1948-49 Chicago Stags (BAA)
1948-49 Providence Steamrollers (BAA)
1949-50 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1951-52 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1952-53 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1953-54 Berwick Carbuilders (EPBL)
1954-55 Hazleton Hawks (EPBL)

A big basketball star at Hazleton HS, "Red" lead HHS into the state championship game in 1944 but a leg injury kept him from playing the the title game, which Hazleton lost. After graduating, Meinhold went on to Long Island University. After a successful freshman season, he looked at returning back home to play at Scranton University before being dismissed by the LIU coach for not meeting academic requirements. He entered the army and served in post-war Yokohama, Japan. He returned to the USA and signed with the Baltimore Bullets. He played one season with them before moving on the the Stags and the Steamrollers.
While playing in the Eastern League, he also worked for New York Life Insurance. He later worked for Montgomery Ward as a regional manager.

Carl married Elizabeth Tait on June 19, 1954 and they had four sons and one daughter.

Source:
The Plain Speaker (Hazleton, PA), March 29, 1944
The Plain Speaker (Hazleton, PA), July 9, 1945
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, December 18, 1945

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/meinhca01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=meinhca01

Chet McNabb

Chester Derald McNabb


Born:
September 19, 1920
Powell, MO

Died:
June 14, 1990
Buckeye, AZ


Career
1936-37 Tolleson High School - Arizona (High School)
1937-38 Tolleson High School - Arizona (High School)
1938-39 Tolleson High School - Arizona (High School)
1939-40 Arizona State Teachers College (College)
1940-41 Arizona State Teachers College (College)
1941-42 Arizona State Teachers College (College)
1942-43 Tolleson Merchants - Arizona (Independent)
1943-44 Stockton Air Base (Military)
1946-47 Webb Construction (Phoenix Munic. League)
1946-47 Mesa Jaycees - Arizona (Independent) 
1946-47 Tempe High School - Arizona (High School) Head coach
1947-48 Phoenix Funk Jewels (Independent)
1947-48 Baltimore Bullets (BAA)

A baseball and basketball star at Tolleson HS, McNabb played at Arizona State Teachers College (Now Arizona State University).

McNabb was a catcher for the Phoenix Senators in the Arizona-Texas League (C-level) in 1947 before heading to Baltimore to join the Bullets. 


Minor League Baseball Stats:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=mcnabb001che

Source:




Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mcnabch01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mcnabch01

Saul Mariaschin

Saul William Mariaschin (Marsch)


Born:
August 10, 1923
Brooklyn, NY

Died:
December 20, 1990
Alta, UT


Career
1939-40 Lafayette High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1940-41 Lafayette High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1941-42 Lafayette High School - Brooklyn (High School)
1942-43 Syracuse University (College) Freshmen
1943-44 Bloomsburg University - Pennsylvania (College)
1944-45 Bloomsburg University - Pennsylvania (College)
1945-46 Harvard University (College)
1946-47 Harvard University (College)
1947-48 Boston Celtics (BAA)

Born to Russian immigrants, Saul (some places say his middle name is George) graduated from Lafayette HS in Brooklyn where he played basketball as well as baseball. He headed off to Syracuse but joined the U.S. Navy after his freshman year. As part of the V-12 program, he studied at Bloomsburg as a cadet. After the war, he went to Harvard where he lead the Harvard team into the tournament. He was drafted by the Washington Capitols but wound up with the Celtics for 43 games.

After the season ended, he got married, changed his name to Marsch, and moved to California to work for his father-in-law's upholstery business. He died while on a skiing trip to Utah in December of 1990.


He was married twice; first to Carol, and later to Vicki. He had two daughters and on stepson.

Note: Obituary says he was born in 1924, but Social Security and Military records say 1923.

Source:
Harvard's Playoff Duo, NY Times, April 28, 2013

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mariasa01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mariasa01

Ray Kuka

Raphael Eugene Kuka


Born:
February 17, 1922
Havre, MT

Died:
March 27, 1990
Havre, MT


Career
1937-38 Havre High School - Montana (High School)
1938-39 Havre High School - Montana (High School)
1939-40 Havre High School - Montana (High School)
1940-41 Notre Dame (College)
1941-42 Notre Dame (College)
1945-46 Montana State University (College)
1946-47 Montana State University (College)
1947-48 New York Knicks (BAA)
1948-49 New York Knicks (BAA)
1949-50 New York Knicks (BAA) Coach
1951-52 Havre Central High School - Montana (High School) Head coach
1952-53 Havre Central High School - Montana (High School) Head coach
1953-54 Havre Central High School - Montana (High School) Head coach
1954-55 Havre Central High School - Montana (High School) Head coach
1955-56 Havre Central High School - Montana (High School) Head coach
1956-57 Havre Central High School - Montana (High School) Head coach
1957-58 Havre Central High School - Montana (High School) Head coach
1958-59 Havre Central High School - Montana (High School) Head coach
1959-60 Havre Central High School - Montana (High School) Head coach
1960-61 Havre Central High School - Montana (High School) Head coach
1961-62 Havre Central High School - Montana (High School) Head coach
1962-63 Havre Central High School - Montana (High School) Head coach
1963-64 Havre Central High School - Montana (High School) Head coach
1964-65 Havre High School - Montana (High School) Head coach
1965-66 Havre High School - Montana (High School) Head coach 
1966-67 Havre High School - Montana (High School) Head coach
1967-68 Havre High School - Montana (High School) Head coach  

Kuka lead Havre HS to the state title in 1940, and then went to Notre Dame. After two years at Notre Dame, he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and served during World War 2. After his discharge, he finished his education at Montana State, and then moved on the play for the Knicks. He suffered a back injury that ended his career, but stayed on with the Knicks for one more season as a coach and scout. In 1951, he took a job as basketball coach back home at Havre Central HS, where he stayed until 1964 when he moved to his alma mater. He coached at Havre HS until 1968, and retired from teaching in 1983.

Kuka died of a heart attack in 1990.

Source:
Great Falls Tribune, June 2, 1951
Great Falls Tribune, March 29, 1990

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kukara01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=kukara01

Red Klotz

Louis Herman "Red" Klotz


Born:
October 21, 1920
Philadelphia, PA

Died:
July 12, 2014
Margate, NJ


Career
1938-39 South High School - Philadelphia (High School)
1939-40 South High School - Philadelphia (High School)
1940-41 Villanova University (College)
1941-42 Villanova University (College)
1942-43 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1945-46 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1946-47 Scranton/Pittston (PSL)
1946-47 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL) 
1947-48 Philadelphia SPHA's (ABL)
1947-48 Baltimore Bullets (BAA)
1948-49 Cumberland Dukes (AABL) Head coach / player
Washington Generals (Independent) Head coach / player

Born in Philly, Klotz lead South HS to two city basketball championships before heading to Villanova. After two years at 'Nova, he left to join the U.S. Army. After a few season of pro ball, including a stretch with the Bullets, Klotz formed the Washington Generals, who were the foil to the Harlem Globetrotters. He played for and coached the Generals for many years, and is the only non-Globetrotter to have a number retired by the Globetrotters.


Klotz played for the Generals through his 50's and was still playing pick-up games in his 80's. He died of cancer in 2014.

He was married to Gloria and had three sons and three daughters.

Source:
NY Times Obituary
LA Times Obituary

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/klotzhe01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=klotzhe01

Paul Huston

Paul Fremont "Shad" Huston


Born:
June 2, 1925
Xenia, OH

Died:
February 2, 1992
Canton, OH


Career
1940-41 Xenia Central High School - Ohio (High School)
1941-42 Xenia Central High School - Ohio (High School)
1942-43 Xenia Central High School - Ohio (High School)
1943-44 Ohio State University (College)
1944-45 Ohio State University (College)
1945-46 Ohio State University (College)
1946-47 Ohio State University (College)
1947-48 Chicago Stags (BAA)

From Xenia, Huston starred at Ohio State during World War 2 before playing for the Stags.

I haven't found much information about him.

Source:


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hustopa01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=hustopa01