Milestone #2

Milestone #2

I have now finished going through the BAA's three seasons and players. This was much easier since there were much fewer seasons than the NBL (which I have already gone through) and a lot of the players in the BAA were already profiled during my NBL work.

Of course, after the 1948-49 season, the BAA merged with the NBL and became the NBA, so this is hardly the end of my task. However, it is a milestone to finish. From here, I am not sure if I will continue on with the NBA, go back and look at another league (maybe the American Basketball League, or the short-lived Professional Basketball League of America.)

Either way, here is the BAA by the numbers:

Number of BAA players:  295 (102 of which also played in the NBL)

Surviving BAA players: 9  A few of them are not confirmed to still be with us.


Longevity:
Of the 295 players, 14.92% of the BAA players are known to have lived to see the age of 90. 2.37% died before the age of 50. 2 of the BAA's currently surviving players are in their 80's, the rest have passed 90.

Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed it. Stay tuned for what's next.

UPDATED 7/13/2017
Removed references the surviving status to Gene Gillette. Now known to be Gene Gallette, deceased 1976.

2016 In Memoriam Video

We put together this video last month, as a memorial to some of the basketball players who passed away in 2016.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fGg370vGPQ

I forgot to to post it here, so sorry for the delay.

Ward Williams

Ward Milton Williams


Born:
June 26, 1923
Colfax, IN

Died:
December 17, 2005
Greenville, SC


Career
1938-39 Colfax High School - Indiana (High School)
1939-40 Colfax High School - Indiana (High School)
1940-41 Colfax High School - Indiana (High School)
1941-42 Indiana University (College) Freshmen
1942-43 Indiana University (College)
1946-47 Indiana University (College)
1947-48 Indiana University (College)
1948-49 Fort Wayne Pistons (BAA)

Born to Hugh and Bertha Williams in Colfax, Indiana, Williams attended IU where he played basketball and baseball, with a few years spend in the U.S. Army Air Corps stationed in North Africa. He played for a season with the Pistons.

He was married to Sandra and they had a son and a daughter.

Source:


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/williwa01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=williwa01

D.C. Wilcutt

D.C. "Dixie" Wilcutt, Jr.


Born:
March 25, 1923
Patton, AL

Died:
October 19, 2015
St. Louis, MO


Career
1938-39 Normandy High School - St. Louis, MO (High School)
1939-40 Normandy High School - St. Louis, MO (High School)
1940-41 Normandy High School - St. Louis, MO (High School)
1942-43 St. Louis University (College)
1946-47 St. Louis University (College)
1947-48 St. Louis University (College)
1948-49 St. Louis Bombers (BAA)
1949-50 St. Louis Bombers (NBA)
1952-53 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach
1953-54 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach
1954-55 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach 
1955-56 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach
1956-57 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach 
1957-58 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach
1958-59 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach 
1959-60 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach
1960-61 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach 
1961-62 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach 
1962-63 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach  
1963-64 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach 
1964-65 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach  
1965-66 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach 
1966-67 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach  
1967-68 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach 
1968-69 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach  
1969-70 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach 
1970-71 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach  
1971-72 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach
1972-73 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach
1973-74 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach
1974-75 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach
1975-76 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach
1976-77 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach
1977-78 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach
1978-79 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach
1979-80 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach
1980-81 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach
1981-82 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach
1982-83 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach
1983-84 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach
1984-85 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach
1985-86 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach
1986-87 Christian Brothers College High School - St Louis (High School) Head coach

Wilcutt went to St Louis University and also served during World War 2, and upon his return lead SLU to the NIT title in 1948. After playing a couple of years in the BAA/NBA, Wilcutt took the coaching and athletic director job at CBC High School, where he stayed for 35 years and won three state championships.

D.C. married Vivian Schwarz (1930-2015) in 1951 and they had three sons and four daughters.



Source:
Obituary, St. Louis Today, October 29, 2015
St Louis Post-Dispatch, October 21, 2015

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/wilcudc01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=wilcudc01

Dick Wehr

Richard Wade Wehr


Born:
December 9, 1925
Caldwell, Ohio

Died:
December 1, 2011
Decatur, GA


Career
1940-41 Barnesville High School - Ohio (High School)
1941-42 Barnesville High School - Ohio (High School)
1942-43 Barnesville High School - Ohio (High School)
1944-45 Rice University (College)
1946-47 Denison University - Ohio (College)
1947-48 Denison University - Ohio (College)
1948-49 Indianapolis Jets (BAA)
1948-49 Wheeling Blues (AABL)
1949-50 Wheeling Blues (AABL)
1950-51 Wheeling Blues (AABL)
1950-51 Gilead High School - Ohio (High School) Head coach
1951-52 West Liberty College - West Virginia (College) Head coach
1952-53 West Liberty College - West Virginia (College) Head coach
1954-55 Union University - Jackson, Tennessee (College) Head coach
1964-65 Georgia State University (College) Head coach
1965-66 Georgia State University (College) Head coach
1966-67 Georgia State University (College) Head coach

Dr. Wehr entered the U.S. Navy right out of high school, and during his naval training attended Indiana State, Rice and St. Mary's in California. He got his Bachelors Degree from Denison, his Masters from Pitt, and his Doctorate in Education from Florida State. His professional athletic career was brief, playing with the Jets and the Blues, but he spent many years as a teacher and coach in various high schools and college, primarily at Georgia State University, where he coached for three seasons, too.

He married Sally (Sara) Henderson in 1958 and they had two sons.


Source:
Obituary
Georgia State University Obituary

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/wehrdi01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=wehrdi01

Brady Walker

Brady Wenzell Walker


Born:
March 15, 1921
Santa Clara, UT

Died:
November 30, 2007
Orem, UT


Career
1938-39 Virgin Valley High School - Mesquite, NV (High School)
1941-42 Brigham Young University (College)
1942-43 Brigham Young University (College)
1945-46 Brigham Young University (College)
1946-47 Brigham Young University (College)
1947-48 Brigham Young University (College)
1947-48 Salt Lake Eckers (AAU)
1948-49 Providence Steamrollers (BAA)
1949-50 Boston Celtics (NBA)
1951-52 Baltimore Bullets (NBA)

Born to Ernest and Julia Wenzell in Santa Clara, Utah, the family moved to Nevada for a while and Walker attended Virgin Valley High School. He attended BYU, with his studies interrupted by World War 2, where he served under General George S. Patton in the 3rd Armored Division. He returned to BYU and after graduating he played basketball professionally until a serious leg injury ended his career. He owned and operated a construction company in Orem, Utah, for many years.

He married Olive Tucker (1923-2003) in 1943 during a furlough and they had one son and one daughter.

Walker played with BYU in the 1947-48 season, and despite being declared eligible for the conference, he was not eligible for the NCAA tournament.

Source:
Salt Lake Tribune, February 24, 1948
Salt Lake Tribune, February 27, 1948 
Salt Lake Tribune, March 18, 1948
Obituary, Herald Extra, December 3, 2007

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/walkebr01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=walkebr01

Andy Tonkovich

Andrew Edward Tonkovich


Born:
November 1, 1922
Barrackville, WV

Died:
September 2, 2006
Inverness, FL


Career
Union High School - Benwood, WV (High School)
1944-45 Marshall University (College)
1945-46 Marshall University (College)
1946-47 Marshall University (College)
1947-48 Marshall University (College)
1948-49 Providence Steamrollers (BAA)
1948-49 Wheeling Blues (AABL)
1949-50 Wheeling Blues (AABL)
1950-51 Wheeling Blues (AABL) Head coach / Player

Born in Barrackville, WV (according to Social Security Application, not Unionville), Tonkovich went into the U.S. Army right out of high school to serve his country for World War 2, and entered Marshall after his service. He was the first overall pic in the 1948 BAA draft by the Providence Steamrollers. He only played 17 games for Providence, and then signed with the Wheeling Blues in January of 1949. , he went on to coach the Wheeling Blues and then on to coaching at the high school level around West Virginia. After his retirement, he was a skilled pool player, winning many senior tournament.

He was married to Wilma (1926-1996) and had two sons and two daughters.

Source:
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, January 7, 1949
Obituary, SP Times, September 11, 2006

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/tonkoan01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=tonkoan01

Jim Spruill

James Winfred Spruill


Born:
February 26, 1923
Dublin, TX

Died:
January 8, 2006
Boulder City, NV


Career
1938-39 Dublin High School - Texas (High School)
1939-40 Dublin High School - Texas (High School)
1940-41 Dublin High School - Texas (High School)
1941-42 Rice University (College) freshmen
1942-43 Rice University (College)
1946-47 Rice University (College)
1947-48 Rice University (College)
1948-49 Indianapolis Jets (BAA)

Born in Dublin, Jim went to Rice where he starred in football and also played basketball. He also spent World War 2 in the U.S. Army serving his country. He played briefly with the Indianapolis Jets in the BAA, but also went on to play two seasons of pro football with the Baltimore Colts in the AAFC as well. In 1951, he began a long career as a football coach and teacher, primarily at the high school level except for a short stint at Sam Houston State. It was at Lompoc High School where he was a notable local hero. He was a well-respected coach and educator until his 1981 retirement. He came out of retirement to briefly coach Boulder City HS to the Nevada state title in 1987.

He married Sylvia Taub (d. 1979) and the had four children. He later remarried to Alma.

Pro Football Stats:
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SpruJi20.htm

Source:
Obituary
Obituary, Lompoc Record

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/spruiji01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=spruiji01

Odie Spears

Marion Odicca "Odie" Spears


Born:
June 17, 1924
Scottsville, KY

Died:
March 28, 1985
Louisville, KY


Career
1940-41 Scottsville High School - Kentucky (High School)
1941-42 Western Kentucky University (College)
1942-43 Western Kentucky University (College)
1943-44 Fort Bragg (Military)
1944-45 Fort Bragg (Military)
1945-46 Fort Bragg (Military) 
1946-47 Western Kentucky University (College)
1947-48 Western Kentucky University (College)
1948-49 Chicago Stags (BAA)
1949-50 Chicago Stags (NBA)
1950-51 Louisville Alumnites (NPBL)
1951-52 Rochester Royals (NBA)
1952-53 Rochester Royals (NBA)
1953-54 Rochester Royals (NBA)
1954-55 Rochester Royals (NBA)
1955-56 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA)
1956-57 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA)
1956-57 St. Louis Hawks (NBA)

Odie went to WKU with some some time off spent fighting World War 2 with the U.S. Army. He played pro basketball for nine seasons before becoming an insurance agent. He was 60 when he died in 1985 from a blood disease.

He married Mary Larkin and they had two daughters.

Some sources have his birthdate on June 26, 1925, but family records say he was born in 1924.

Source:
Hilltopper Haven
Courier-Journal (Louisville) - March 30, 1985

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/spearod01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=spearod01

Howie Shannon

Howard Payne Shannon


Born:
June 10, 1923
Manhattan, KS

Died:
August 16, 1995
Plano, TX


Career
1942-43 North Texas State University (College)
1946-47 Denver Continental Airlines (AAU)
1947-48 Kansas State (College)
1948-49 Providence Steamrollers (BAA)
1949-50 Boston Celtics (BAA)
1950-51 Topeka High School (High School) Head coach
1951-52 Topeka High School (High School) Head coach
1952-53 Topeka High School (High School) Head coach
1953-54 Topeka High School (High School) Head coach
1954-55 Kansas State (College) Assistant coach
1955-56 Kansas State (College) Assistant coach
1956-57 Kansas State (College) Assistant coach
1957-58 Kansas State (College) Assistant coach
1958-59 Kansas State (College) Assistant coach
1959-60 Kansas State (College) Assistant coach
1960-61 Kansas State (College) Assistant coach
1961-62 Kansas State (College) Assistant coach
1962-63 Kansas State (College) Assistant coach
1963-64 Kansas State (College) Assistant coach
1964-65 Virginia Tech (College) Head coach
1965-66 Virginia Tech (College) Head coach
1966-67 Virginia Tech (College) Head coach
1967-68 Virginia Tech (College) Head coach
1968-69 Virginia Tech (College) Head coach
1969-70 Virginia Tech (College) Head coach

Born to Joseph and Sarah Shannon in Kansas, Howie went to North Texas before serving during World War 2. Set to return to the North Texas team in 1946, he quit school that October to play for pay with the Denver Continental team. He went to KSU after and the played in the BAA with Providence and Celtics before taking a coaching and teaching job at Topeka HS. After four years there, he was brought on as an assistant coach at Kansas State, where he stayed until landing the head coaching gig at Virginia Tech. Shannon lead the Hokies into the regional finals in 1967 (aka in the Elite 8) the season after a NIT birth, and stayed as coach at VT until stepping down in 1970. He died of lung cancer in 1995.

He was married to Patricia.

Source:
Lawrence Journal World, March 23, 1954
Free Lance-Star, April 13, 1964
Herald Journal, March 31, 1971

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/shannho01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=shannho01

Otto Schnellbacher

Otto Ole Schnellbacher


Born:
April 15, 1923
Sublette, KS

Died:
March 10, 2008
Topeka, KS


Career
1938-39 Sublette High School - Kansas (High School)
1939-40 Sublette High School - Kansas (High School)
1940-41 Sublette High School - Kansas (High School)
1941-42 Kansas University (College) Freshmen
1942-43 Kansas University (College)
1946-47 Kansas University (College)
1947-48 Kansas University (College)
1948-49 Providence Steamrollers (BAA)
1948-49 St. Louis Bombers (BAA)

Born to John and Elfie Schnellbacher in Sublette, Otto had to overcome the death of his family when Otto was 12. He was a football star at Sublette HS, and headed to Kansas to play football and basketball. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War 2, and returned to Kansas after the war. After graduating from Kansas, Otto went to play four seasons in the AAFC and the NFL as a defensive back (leading the league in interceptions in his rookie season) as well as playing a season in the BAA. After this athletic career, he worked as an insurance agent for American United Life for 25 years.

He married Theresa Renner (1923-1990) and they at least one daughter, Mary, and two sons, Otto and Brad. He remarried to Jane Jung in 1991 and died of cancer in 2008.

Pro Football Stats:
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SchnOt00.htm

Source:
Otto's Obit and Grave
Theresa's Obit and Grave


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/schneot01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=schneot01

Kenny Rollins

Kenneth Herman Rollins


Born:
September 14, 1923
Charleston, MO

Died:
October 9, 2012
Greencastle, IN


Career
1938-39 Wickliffe High School - Kentucky (High School)
1939-40 Wickliffe High School - Kentucky (High School)
1940-41 Wickliffe High School - Kentucky (High School)
1941-42 University of Kentucky (College) Freshmen
1942-43 University of Kentucky (College)
1946-47 University of Kentucky (College)
1947-48 University of Kentucky (College)
1948 United States (Olympics)
1948-49 Chicago Stags (BAA)
1949-50 Chicago Stags (NBA)
1950-51 Louisville Alumnites (NPBL)
1952-53 Boston Celtics (NBA)

Rollins went to UK, but his time there was interrupted by his service in the U.S. Navy for World War 2. He returned to UK after the war, and as a member of Kentucky's "Fabulous Five" lead the Wildcats to the 1948 NCAA title. He then won a gold medal for the American basketball team in the 1948 Olympics before joining the Chicago Stags in the BAA. Kenny worked as a salesman for many years, retiring in 1986. He moved down to Florida in 1994 but returned to live with his son in Greencastle, where he died in 2012. His uniform number was retired by UK. His brother, Phil, also played in the NBA,

He and his wife, Mabel, had a son, Kevin, and a daughter, Corinne.


Source:
Obituary, Kentucky.com

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rollike01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=rollike01

Bill Roberts

William Joseph Roberts


Born:
March 13, 1925
Fort Wayne, IN

Died:
January 23, 2016
DeKalb, IL


Career
1945-46 University of Wyoming (College)
1947-48 Atlanta Crackers (PBLA)
1947-48 Saratoga Indians (NYSL)
1948-49 Chicago Stags (BAA)
1948-49 Boston Celtics (BAA)
1948-49 St. Louis Bombers (BAA)
1949-50 St. Louis Bombers (NBA)
1950-51 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1950-51 Louisville Alumnites (NPBL)

Born in Fort Wayne to Norman and Mary Agnes Roberts, Bill attended Notre Dame before transferring to Wyoming. After college, he played pro basketball for a few years before returning to Illinois where he was employed with Reynolds Aluminum before retiring in 1973, after which he owned a Dairy King and BJ's Confectionary. He briefly lived in Texas before returning to DeKalb, where he died in 2016 at 90 years of age. An avid golfer, he began playing at age 9 and was a professional instructor.

Bill married Betty Jean Sortor in 1949 and they had one daughter, Kathleen.

Source:
Obituary in the Dairy Chronicle, January 26, 2016

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/roberbi01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=roberbi01

Tex Ritter

Goebel Franklin "Tex" Ritter


Born:
February 26, 1924
Richmond, KY

Died:
October 15, 2004
Whitesburg, KY


Career
1940-41 Madison County - Richmond, Kentucky (High School)
1942-43 Eastern Kentucky Teachers College (College)
1946-47 Eastern Kentucky Teachers College (College)
1947-48 Eastern Kentucky Teachers College (College)
1948-49 New York Knicks (BAA)
1949-50 New York Knicks (NBA)
1950-51 New York Knicks (NBA)
1951-52 Fleming Neon High School - Kentucky (High School) Head coach
1952-53 Hazard High School - Kentucky (High School) Head coach
1953-54 Hazard High School - Kentucky (High School) Head coach
1954-55 Hazard High School - Kentucky (High School) Head coach
1955-56 Hazard High School - Kentucky (High School) Head coach
1956-57 Hazard High School - Kentucky (High School) Head coach
1957-58 Hazard High School - Kentucky (High School) Head coach
1958-59 Hazard High School - Kentucky (High School) Head coach
1959-60 Hazard High School - Kentucky (High School) Head coach
1960-61 Hazard High School - Kentucky (High School) Head coach
1961-62 Hazard High School - Kentucky (High School) Head coach
1962-63 Whitesburg High School - Kentucky (High School) Head coach


Born to Cecil and Viola Ritter in Richmond, Kentucky, "Tex" graduated from Madison County HS snd enrolled at Eastern Kentucky Teachers College (now Eastern Kentucky University) with a football scholarship. His college education was interrupted when he enlisted in the Marines and saw action in Guam and Iwo Jima, earing two purple hearts After the war, he returned to EK, playing baseball, basketball, football and gold.  He then played three seasons in the BAA/NBA before returning to Kentucky where he taught and coached at the high school level for many years, retiring in 1992. Afte coaching, he kept in the game by being a referee.

He married Pauline "Penny" Caudill in 1947 and they had one daughter, Susanne.


Source:
Grave / obituary

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/rittete01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=rittete01

Les Pugh

Leslie Ellsworth Pugh


Born:
September 18, 1922
Butler, OH

Died:
February 25, 1979
Franklin, OH


Career
1937-38 Middletown High School - Ohio (High School)
1938-39 Middletown High School - Ohio (High School)
1946-47 Ohio State University (College)
1947-48 Dayton Metros (AABL)
1948-49 Providence Steamrollers (BAA)
1949-50 Baltimore Bullets (NBA)

Born in 1922 to Stanley and Ella Pugh (some sources say 1923). He served in the U.S. Navy during World War 2.



Source:


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/pughle01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=pughle01

Easy Parham

Estes Foster "Easy" Parham


Born:
December 27, 1921
Fort Worth, TX

Died:
October 4, 1982
Fort Worth, TX


Career
1941-42 Texas Wesleyan (College)
1942-43 Texas Wesleyan (College)
1946-47 Texas Wesleyan (College)
1947-48 Texas Wesleyan (College)
1948-49 St. Louis Bombers (BAA)
1949-50 St. Louis Bombers (NBA)
1950-51 Grand Rapids Hornets (NPBL)
1950-51 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, to Allen and Mattie Parham.

Easy later worked as an aircraft engineer and he died of lung cancer in 1982.

Easy married M. Laverne Allen (1930-1989) in 1950. They had one child.

Source:


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/parhaea01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=parhaea01

Fred Paine

Frederick Vincent Paine, Jr.


Born:
December 7, 1925
Stockdale, PA

Died:
October 26, 2004
Jupiter, FL


Career
1943-44 Westminster College - Pennsylvania (College)
1945-46 Westminster College - Pennsylvania (College)
1946-47 Westminster College - Pennsylvania (College)
1947-48 Youngstown Cubs (AABL)
1947-48 Hazleton Mountaineers (EPBL)
1948-49 Providence Steamrollers (BAA)
1949-50 Washington Gunners / Jewels (AABL)
1950-51 Altoona Flyers (AABL)

Paine starred at Westminster College, interrupted with his service in the U.S. Navy during World War 2. He played in various professional leagues in the Eastern U.S., including a brief stop with Providence in the BAA. Paine was also a fine amateur golfer, winning the Pennsylvania amateur title and competing in the national tournament five times. He worked for Nalco in the Metals Division for many years, eventually becoming he President of the International Division.

Fred was married to Barbara Johnson (1926-2007) in 1950 and they had three sons.

Source:
Altoona Tribune, December 23, 1950
Pittsburgh Press, August 30, 1964
Obituary, Chicago Tribune, October 30, 2004
Barbara's Obituary, Salt Lake Tribune, July 5, 2007

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/painefr01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=painefr01

Dermie O'Connell

Dermott Francis O'Connell


Born:
April 13, 1928
New York, NY

Died:
October 5, 1988
NY


Career
1942-43 Cardinal Hayes - Bronx, NY (High School)
1943-44 Cardinal Hayes - Bronx, NY (High School)
1944-45 Cardinal Hayes - Bronx, NY (High School)
1945-46 Holy Cross (College)
1946-47 Holy Cross (College)
1947-48 Holy Cross (College)
1948-49 Holy Cross (College)
1948-49 Boston Celtics (BAA)
1949-50 Boston Celtics (NBA)
1949-50 St. Louis Bombers (NBA)
1950-51 Utica Pros (ABL)
1950-51 Wallingford Veterans (EBL-Ct)

1950-51 Lancaster Rockets (EPBL)

O'Connell was a member of the NCAA champion Holy Cross is 1946-47. After graduating from Holy Cross in January of 1949, Dermie was able to catch on with the Celtics and played his first game with them on February 1, 1949.

Source:
Dunkirk (NY) Evening Observer, January 19, 1949

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/oconnde01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=oconnde01

Jack Nichols

Jack Edward Nichols


Born:
April 9, 1926
Wenatchee, WA

Died:
December 24, 1992
Palm Springs, CA


Career
1941-42 Everett High School - Washington (High School)
1942-43 Everett High School - Washington (High School)
1943-44 University of Washington (College)
1944-45 University of Southern California (College)
1945-46 University of Southern California (College)
1945-46 Los Angeles Carroll Shamrocks (ABL-AAU)
1946-47 University of Washington (College)
1947-48 University of Washington (College)
1948-49 Washington Capitols (BAA)
1949-50 Washington Capitols (NBA)
1949-50 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBA)
1950-51 Tri-Cities Blackhawks (NBA)
1952-53 Milwaukee Hawks (NBA)
1953-54 Boston Celtics (NBA)
1954-55 Boston Celtics (NBA)
1955-56 Boston Celtics (NBA)
1956-57 Boston Celtics (NBA)
1957-58 Boston Celtics (NBA)

Born to Rudolph and Gertrude and Nichols in Wanatchee, Washington, Jack attended Everett High School before enrolling at UW. He played basketball at USC for a couple seasons. (Not sure if he was there while serving in military during World War 2.) After finishing back at UW, he played basketball for 8 seasons professionally. While with the Celtics, he was also back in school at Tufts, earning his degree in dentistry. He was the team dentist for the Seattle Supersonics as well as UW. Dr. Nichols died in 1992 in Palm Springs, California.

Source:
Obituary

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nichoja01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=nichoja01

Bill Miller

William Ralph Miller


Born:
November 24, 1924
Berea, KY

Died:
July 9, 1991



Career
1940-41 Williamsburg High School - Kentucky (High School)
1941-42 Williamsburg High School - Kentucky (High School)
1942-43 Williamsburg High School - Kentucky (High School)
1943-44 Eastern Kentucky State University (College)
1947-48 University of North Carolina (College)
1948-49 Chicago Stags (BAA)
1948-49 St. Louis Bombers (BAA)
1955-56 Roanoke Rapids High School - North Carolina (High School) Head coach
1956-57 Campbellsville JC - Kentucky (College) Head coach
1957-58 Campbellsville JC - Kentucky (College) Head coach
1958-59 Campbellsville JC - Kentucky (College) Head coach
1959-60 Elon College - North Carolina (College) Head coach
1960-61 Elon College - North Carolina (College) Head coach
1961-62 Elon College - North Carolina (College) Head coach
1962-63 Elon College - North Carolina (College) Head coach
1963-64 Elon College - North Carolina (College) Head coach
1964-65 Elon College - North Carolina (College) Head coach
1965-66 Elon College - North Carolina (College) Head coach
1966-67 Elon College - North Carolina (College) Head coach
1967-68 Elon College - North Carolina (College) Head coach
1968-69 Elon College - North Carolina (College) Head coach
1969-70 Elon College - North Carolina (College) Head coach
1970-71 Elon College - North Carolina (College) Head coach
1971-72 Elon College - North Carolina (College) Head coach
1972-73 Elon College - North Carolina (College) Head coach
1973-74 Elon College - North Carolina (College) Head coach
1974-75 Elon College - North Carolina (College) Head coach
1975-76 Elon College - North Carolina (College) Head coach
1976-77 Elon College - North Carolina (College) Head coach
1977-78 Elon College - North Carolina (College) Head coach
1978-79 Elon College - North Carolina (College) Head coach

Born to Charles and Nell Miller, Bill went to Eastern Kentucky before entering the military as the close of World War 2. Following his discharge in 1947, we went to UNC, and then played pro basketball for the Stags and the Bombers. He worked as an accountant while finishing his undergraduate and Masters work, and then headed into coaching. He was the head coach for a year in Roanoke before taking a junior college job. After three years at Cambellsville, He moved on to Elon College, where he coached for 20 seasons.


Source:
Daily Times-News (Burlington, NC), April 23, 1959
Pendulum On-Line

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/millebi01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=millebi01

Ed Mikan

Edward Arthur Mikan


Born:
October 20, 1925
Joliet, IL

Died:
October 22, 1999
La Grange, IL


Career
1940-41 Joliet Catholic - Illinois (High School)
1941-42 Joliet Catholic - Illinois (High School)
1942-43 Joliet Catholic - Illinois (High School)
1943-44 DePaul University (College)
1944-45 DePaul University (College)
1946-47 DePaul University (College)
1947-48 DePaul University (College)
1948-49 Chicago Stags (BAA)
1949-50 Chicago Stags (NBA)
1949-50 Rochester Royals (NBA)
1950-51 Rochester Royals (NBA)
1950-51 Washington Capitols (NBA)
1950-51 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)
1951-52 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)
1952-53 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)
1952-53 Indianapolis Olympians (NBA)
1953-54 Boston Celtics (NBA)

Brother of George Mikan

Ed followed his older brother George to DePaul, where they played on the 1944-45 NIT champion team. After graduating from DePaul (not sure where he was during 1945-46 season. Injured? Military?), he played for the Stags on his way to a six-year professional basketball career.
After his time in the NBA, Mikan was a successful housing contractor and also owned a bowling alley and a limousine service.

Mikan and his wife Mary (who passed away just under two months before Ed) had three sons and three daughters.

Source:
Chicago Tribune, October 26, 1999

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mikaned01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mikaned01

Mel McGaha

Fred Melvin "Mel" McGaha


Born:
September 26, 1926
Bastrop, LA

Died:
February 3, 2002
Tulsa, OK


Career
1941-42 Mabelvale High School - Arkansas(High School)
1942-43 Mabelvale High School - Arkansas(High School)
1943-44 University of Arkansas (College)
1944-45 University of Arkansas (College)
1945-46 University of Arkansas (College)
1946-47 University of Arkansas (College)
1948-49 New York Knicks (BAA)
1953-54 Arkansas A&M University (College) Head coach
1954-55 Arkansas A&M University (College) Head coach

Born to Fred and Ethie McGaha, "Mel" enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps near the end of World War 2. He was a three-sport star at Arkansas, playing basketball, football and baseball. Although his pro basketball career was brief, he played minor league baseball for 11 years, primarily in the Cardinals' organization. He was injured in a team bus accident in 1948 when as a member of the Duluth baseball team. The team bus was hit head-on by a truck and four of Mel's teammates and his manager were killed. After his playing days, he turned to managing, and was a major league manager for the Indians and the Athletics. After many years as a manager, primarily in the minor leagues, he quit and became a director of the Parks and Recreation departments in Shreveport and Bossier (Louisiana).He died following a stroke in 2002.

He married Christine Lonsford in 1945 and they had two children. He later remarried to Linda Jo.

Minor League Baseball Stats:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=mcgaha001fre

Source:
Times (Shreveport), January 10, 1965
News-Star (Monroe, LA), February 10, 2002

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mcgahme01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=mcgahme01

Lionel Malamed

Lionel M. Malamed


Born:
November 15, 1924
New York, NY

Died:
September 17, 1989
Queens, NY


Career
1940-41 James Monroe - Bronx, NY (High School)
1941-42 James Monroe - Bronx, NY (High School)
1942-43 CCNY (College) Freshmen
1945-46 CCNY (College)
1946-47 CCNY (College)
1947-48 CCNY (College)
1948-49 Indianapolis Jets (BAA)
1948-49 Rochester Royals (BAA)
1948-49 Saratoga Indians (NYSL)
1949-50 Paterson Crescents (ABL) 

Born to Julius and Annd Malamed, Lionel attended James Monroe HS in the Bronx and attended CCNY, with time spent in the army during World War 2. After a brief basketball career, Malamed worked for many years as a stock broker for Herbert Young and Co.

In 1989, Malamed suffered a fatal heart attack while playing tennis.

Lionel was married to Shirley Diamond and they had two sons. Lionel's older brother Paul played basketball at CCNY, also.

Source:
Jews In Sports
Obituary, New York Times, September 21, 1989

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/malamli01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=malamli01

Ray Lumpp

Raymond George Lumpp


Born:
July 11, 1923
Brooklyn, NY

Died:
January 16, 2015
Mineola, NY


Career
1938-39 Newtown High School - Ekmhurst, NY (High School)
1939-40 Newtown High School - Ekmhurst, NY (High School)
1940-41 Newtown High School - Ekmhurst, NY (High School)
1941-42 New York Athletic Club (Amateur)
1941-42 New York University (College) Freshmen
1942-43 New York University (College)
1945-46 New York University (College)
1946-47 New York University (College)
1947-48 New York University (College)
1948 United States Basketball Team (Olympics)
1948-49 Indianapolis Jets (BAA)
1948-49 New York Knicks (BAA)
1949-50 New York Knicks (NBA)
1950-51 New York Knicks (NBA)
1951-52 New York Knicks (NBA)
1952-53 Baltimore Bullets (BAA)

Lumpp served in the military during World War 2 and after the war starred at NYU, including setting the single-season scoring record for the school in his senior year. He then lead the U.S. Olympic team to the gold medal in the 1947 Olympic Games in London. Drafted by the Jets, Lumpp was traded to the Knicks in mid-season for Tommy Byrnes, and remained with the Knicks through 1952. After one season with the Bullets, Lumpp took an assistant coaching job back at NYU before taking over at the New York Athletic Club, where he stayed for many years.

Ray and his wife Anne had 2 sons and two daughters.

Source:
ESPN Obituary
New York Historical Society

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lumppra01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=lumppra01

Herb Krautblatt

Herbert Krautblatt
also known as Herbert Kay


Born:
November 19, 1926
Newark, NJ

Died:
February 10, 1999
Newark, NJ


Career
1941-42 Weequahic High School - Newark (High School)
1942-43 Weequahic High School - Newark (High School)
1943-44 Weequahic High School - Newark (High School)
1945-46 Rider University (College)
1946-47 Rider University (College)
1947-48 Rider University (College)
1948-49 Cohoes Mastadons (NYSL)
1948-49 Baltimore Bullets (BAA)
1948-49 Trenton Tigers (ABL)
1949-50 Hartford Hurricanes (ABL)
1950-51 Paterson Crescents (ABL)
1950-51 Hartford Hurricanes (EBL-Ct)

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

He married Edythe Weiner in September of 1948.

Source:
New Jersey Jewish News, June 30, 2005

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/krauthe01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=krauthe01

Dan Kraus

Daniel Joseph Kraus


Born:
February 13, 1923
The Bronx, NY

Died:
December 28, 2012
Columbia, MD


Career
1938-39 DeWitt Clinton High School - Bronx, NY (High School)
1939-40 DeWitt Clinton High School - Bronx, NY (High School)
1940-41 DeWitt Clinton High School - Bronx, NY (High School)
1941-42 Georgetown University (College) Freshmen
1942-43 Georgetown University (College)
1946-47 Georgetown University (College)
1947-48 Georgetown University (College)
1948-49 Baltimore Bullets (BAA)
1948-49 Scranton Miners (ABL)

1949-50 York Victory (EPBL)

Kraus was born in the Bronx and at age 11, his basketball skills caught the attention of Georgetown University coach Elmer Ripley. Kraus wound up playing for Ripley after graduating high school at Georgetown. He was also in the USMC during World War 2, and returned to Georgetown after the war. After starring at Georgetown, Kraus played basketball for the Baltimore Bullets and the Scranton Miners before becoming an FBI Special Agent for 26 years.

He married Jane McHale in 1944 and they had eight children.



Source:
Washington Post Obituary, January 4, 2013

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/krausda01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=krausda01

Andy Kostecka

Andrew Edward Kostecka


Born:
February 10, 1921
Newark, NJ

Died:
January 17, 2007
Bethesda, MD


Career
1938-39 Bloomfield High School - New Jersey (High School)
1941-42 Georgetown University (College) Freshmen
1942-43 Georgetown University (College)
1944-45 Camp Robinson (Military)
1946-47 Georgetown University (College)
1947-48 Georgetown University (College)
1948-49 Indianapolis Jets (BAA)

Kostecka enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943 and served during World War 2 as an Intelligence Officer. He was General MacArthur's Russian interpreter and was one of the first troops to enter Nagasaki after the atomic bomb was dropped on the city in August of 1945. He returned to finish school at Georgetown and was kicked off the team in January of 1948 after a large disagreement with Coach Elmer Ripley. Kostecka played for the Jets for a season before rejoining the Army for the war in Korea. After the war, he entered business and was a general manager of a textile and an assistant vice-president of sales for a jewelry company. He was also employed by the CIA at this time. In 1965, he joined the Department of Commerce and was recognized by the International Franchise Association as the foremost expert in business franchising. Kostecka died of heart failure in 2007.




He and his wife, Maria, were married in 1958 and they had two sons, Robert and Andrew, Jr. His grandson, Andrew Kostecka III, is currently (as of this posting) a freshman on the basketball team at Loyola University in  Maryland.

Source:
Hoya Hall of Fame
Arlington National Cemetery 
Philadelphia Inquirer, January 9, 1948
Palm Beach Post, July 15, 1985
Washington Post Obituary, January 20, 2007

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kostean01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=kostean01

Tom Kelly

Thomas Edward Kelly


Born:
March 5, 1924
New York, NY

Died:
March 20, 2008
Santa Barbara, CA


Career
1939-40 Regis High School - New York City (High School)
1940-41 Regis High School - New York City (High School)
1941-42 Regis High School - New York City (High School)
1946-47 NYU (College)
1947-48 NYU (College)
1948-49 Boston Celtics (BAA)
1948-49 Hartford Hurricanes (ABL)
1948-49 Paterson Crescents (ABL)
1949-50 Paterson Crescents (ABL)

Born to Edward and Anastasia Kelly in New York City, Tom went to Regis High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp after graduating. Stationed in Europe, Kelly was a decorated combat pilot. He entered NYU after the war, and managed to graduate with an engineering degree in three years. After a season with the Celtics, he quit basketball and worked in the heating and cooling industry on Long Island. Following the death of his first wife, Irene, he remarried and eventually moved to California, where he died in 2008.



Source:


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kellyto01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=kellyto01

Leo Katkaveck

Leo Frank Katkaveck


Born:
April 17, 1923
Manchester, CT

Died:
May 6, 2006
Greenville, NC


Career
1940-41 Manchester Trade School - Connecticut (High School)
1942-43 North Carolina State (College)
1943-44 RPI (College)
1946-47 North Carolina State (College)
1947-48 North Carolina State (College)
1948-49 Washington Capitols (BAA)
1949-50 Washington Capitols (BAA)

Katkaveck attended NC State before entering the U.S. Navy. He played for RPI while in the service, and after the war he returned to NC State. After two pro seasons with the Capitols, he left to play minor league baseball in North Carolina (mainly D-Level) while working in the textile industry. His baseball career ended in 1951, he stayed working in textile until his 1992 retirement.

Leo married Neysia Hinson (1926-2003) and they had three children.

Minor League Baseball Stats:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=katkav001leo

Source:
Times Record (Troy, NY), December 4, 1943
Grave and Obit

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/katkale01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=katkale01

George Kaftan

Dr. George A. Kaftan


Born:
February 22, 1928
Washington Heights, NY

Died:
October 6, 2018
New York, NY


Career
Xavier at New York, NY (High School)
1946-47 Holy Cross (College)
1947-48 Holy Cross (College)
1948-49 Boston Celtics (BAA)
1949-50 Boston Celtics (NBA)
1950-51 New York Knicks (NBA)
1951-52 New York Knicks (NBA)
1952-53 Baltimore Bullets (NBA)
1952-53 Pawtucket Slaters (ABL)

Born to Turkish immigrants, Kaftan went to Xavier HS in New York before attending Holy Cross. After playing pro basketball for 5 seasons, he left to pursue a dental degree at Georgetown. He worked as a dentist for many years in Hempstead, New York, while also teaching and coaching at C.W. Post.


George married Helen in 1955 and they had thre daughters.






Source:
Dr. George Kaftan an NCAA legend living among us - app.com

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kaftage01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=kaftage01

Whitey Kachan

Edwin John "Whitey" Kachan


Born:
September 15, 1925
Chicago, IL

Died:
March 7, 1993
Glenview, IL


Career
1941-42 St. Philip High School - Chicago (High School)
1942-43 St. Philip High School - Chicago (High School)
1943-44 DePaul University (College)
1944-45 DePaul University (College)
1946-47 DePaul University (College)
1947-48 DePaul University (College)
1948-49 Chicago Stags (BAA)
1948-49 Minneapolis Lakers (BAA)

Born in Chicago to Carl and Sophie Kachan. After leading DePaul into the NCAA tournament in 1945, Kachan entered the U.S. Army Air Corp in August of that year and served through 1946. He worked for many years as an independent insurance broker.

Source:
Chicago Sun-Times, March 9, 1993

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kachawh01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=kachawh01

Gene James

Harold Eugene "Gene" James


Born:
February 15, 1925
Ironton, OH

Died:
July 6, 1997
Sarasota, FL


Career
1941-42 Stonewall Jackson at Charleston, WV (High School)
1946-47 Marshall University (College)
1947-48 Marshall University (College)
1948-49 New York Knicks (BAA)
1949-50 New York Knicks (NBA)
1950-51 New York Knicks (NBA)
1950-51 Baltimore Bullets (NBA)
1951-52 Ironton High School - Ohio (High School) Head coach
1952-53 Ironton High School - Ohio (High School) Head coach
1953-54 Ironton High School - Ohio (High School) Head coach


Source:
Beckley Post-Herald, May 23, 1954

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jamesge01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=jamesge01

Doug Holcomb

Douglas Martin Holcomb


Born:
February 9, 1921
Milwaukee, WI

Died:
February 3, 2008
Scranton, PA


Career
1937-38 Lincoln High School - Milwaukee (High School)
1938-39 Lincoln High School - Milwaukee (High School)
1939-40 Lincoln High School - Milwaukee (High School)
1940-41 University of Wisconsin (College) Freshmen
1945-46 Wilmington Bombers (ABL)
1946-47 University of Wisconsin (College)
1947-48 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1948-49 Baltimore Bullets (BAA)
1948-49 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1948-49 Reading Keys (EPBL)
1949-50 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1949-50 Berwick Carbuilders (EPBL)
1949-50 University of Scranton (College) Head coach
1950-51 University of Scranton (College) Head coach

Born in Milwaukee to Martin and Jesse Holcomb, Doug attended Lincoln High School and after serving in the U.S. Navy he returned to graduate from the University of Wisconsin. (While stationed on the east coast, he was able to play in the ABL, which because of his military service did not interfere with his collegiate eligibility. He settled in Scranton, Pennsylvania, playing a few seasons with the Miners of the ABL. During this time, he also played with the Baltimore club in the BAA, as well as a few stints in the Eastern League. He took the head coaching job at the University of Scranton where he also earned his master's degree. He worked for many years in the Scranton broadcasting community, as well as spending time working with the Boy Scouts of America and Goodwill Industries.

Holcomb died in 2008 just a week short of his 87th birthday.

He married Marge Megargee in 1952 (or 1951) and they had seven children.

Source:
Scranton Times, February 5, 2008

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/holcodo01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=holcodo01