Frank Kudelka

Frank Carl Kudelka


Born:
June 25, 1925
San Francisco, CA

Died:
May 4, 1993
San Francisco, CA


Career
1940-41 Lowell High School - San Francisco, CA (High School)
1941-42 Lowell High School - San Francisco, CA (High School)
1943-44 San Francisco Surf Riders (Military)
Alameda Sea Lions (Military)
1946-47 St. Mary's College - California (College)
1947-48 St. Mary's College - California (College)
1947-48 Borlo AC - Oakland (Amateur)
1948-49 St. Mary's College - California (College)
1949-50 Chicago Stags (NBA)
1950-51 Washington Capitols (NBA)
1950-51 Boston Celtics (NBA)
1951-52 Baltimore Bullets (NBA)
1952-53 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)
1953-54 Washington Generals (Independent)

After high school, Kudelka played basketball in the military and after World War 2 attended St. Mary's. He played in the NBA for four seasons and then joined the Washington Generals, the eternal opponent of the Harlem Globetrotters.

He married Dian Steele in 1955

Source:


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kudelfr01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=kudelfr01

Bob Hahn

Robert M. Hahn


Born:
August 25, 1925
Ann Arbor, MI

Died:
July 28, 2009
Ann Arbor, MI


Career
Ann Arbor High School - Michigan (High School)
1946-47 North Carolina State University (College)
1948-49 North Carolina State University (College)
1949-50 Chicago Stags (NBA)
1950-51 United States Stars (Independent)  - Official opponents for Harlem Globetrotters tour

Born to Gustave and Elfreda Hahn, Hahn attended Ann Arbor HS before heading off to NC State. He missed his sophomore year due to academic reasons, but the 6'10 senior returned for the 1948-49 seasons. He left NC State and played in for the Chicago Stags in the NBA. After his short stint with the Stags, he toured with the Globetrotters in Europe and Africa.He then returned to Ann Arbor and worked for many years at Sears.


He married Jolene Howard in 1951

Source:
Grave and Obit

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hahnro01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=hahnro01

Joe Bradley

Joseph Loren Bradley


Born:
September 24, 1928
Hobart, OK

Died:
June 5, 1987
Enid, Oklahoma ??


Career
Cowden High School - Cowden, OK (High School)
1946-47 Oklahoma A&M (College)
1947-48 Oklahoma A&M (College)
1948-49 Oklahoma A&M (College)
1949-50 Chicago Stags (NBA)
1950-51 Louisville Alumnites (NPBL)

Joe served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.

Source:


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bradljo01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=bradljo01

Leo Barnhorst

Leo Alphonse Barnhorst


Born:
May 11, 1924
Indianapolis, IN

Died:
August 25, 2000
Indianapolis, IN


Career
1940-41 Cathedral High School - Indianapolis, IN (High School)
1941-42 Cathedral High School - Indianapolis, IN (High School)
1946-47 Notre Dame (College)
1947-48 Notre Dame (College)
1948-49 Notre Dame (College)
1949-50 Chicago Stags (NBA)
1949-50 Harlem Globetrotters (Independent)
1950-51 Indianapolis Olympians (NBA)
1951-52 Indianapolis Olympians (NBA)
1952-53 Indianapolis Olympians (NBA)
1953-54 Baltimore Bullets (NBA)
1953-54 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA)

Barnhorst graduated from high school before entering the U.S. Army during World War 2. After the war, he attended Notre Dame, starring on the basketball team. He would go on to enjoy a four-year career in the NBA where he was a two-time All-Star. First playing with the Stags, he was sold to the Olympians after the Stags folded. Leo spent three years with the Olympians until they, too, ceased operations. He played one more year, splitting the season between Baltimore and Fort Wayne. After his playing days, he worked for many years as an insurance agent. Leo endured lymphoma for many years before finally succumbing to the disease in 2000.
Leo was married to Shirley Freihage (1926-2011) and they had three sons and a daughter.

Source:
Notre Dame Article
Indianapolis Star, December 4, 1951
Indianapolis Star, August 27, 2000

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/barnhle01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=barnhle01

1949-50 Chicago Stags (NBA)

1949-50 CHICAGO STAGS
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Central Division
Finished: 40-28 .588, 3rd place

Division Tiebreaker - Lost to Fort Wayne, 1-0
Division Semi-finals - Lost to Minneapolis, 2-0

The Stags were an original BAA team, and finished in third place in the first season of the NBA. However, the team struggled at the turnstile and would fold following the season. The NBA would be without a franchise in the Windy City for over 10 years.

• Head Coaches: Phillip Brownstein (May 17, 1906 - February 11, 1999)

PLAYERS: 

• Leo Barnhorst (May 11, 1924 - August 25, 2000)

Biography

• Joe Bradley (September 24, 1928 - June 5, 1987)

Biography

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

Biography

• Bob Hahn (August 25, 1925 - July 28, 2009)

Biography

• Kleggie Hermsen (March 12, 1923 - March 2, 1994)

Biography

• Frank Kudelka (June 25, 1925 - May 4, 1993)

Biography

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

Biography

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

Biography

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

Biography

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

Biography

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

Biography

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

Biography

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

Biography

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

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

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

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

Joe Graboski

Joseph William Graboski


Born:
January 15, 1930
Chicago, IL

Died:
July 2, 1998
Columbus, OH


Career
1945-46 Tuley High School - Chicago (High School)
1946-47 Tuley High School - Chicago (High School)
1947-48 Tuley High School - Chicago (High School)
1948-49 Chicago Stags (BAA)
1949-50 Chicago Stags (NBA)
1950-51 Kansas City Hi-Spots (NPBL)
1950-51 Louisville Alumnites (NPBL)
1951-52 Indianapolis Olympians (NBA)
1952-53 Indianapolis Olympians (NBA)
1953-54 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)
1954-55 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)
1955-56 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)
1956-57 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)
1957-58 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)
1958-59 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)
1959-60 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)
1960-61 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)
1961-62 St. Louis Hawks (NBA)
1961-62 Chicago Packers (NBA)
1961-62 Syracuse Nationals (NBA)
1962-63 Camden (EBL)
1966-67 Asbury Park (EBL)

Graboski Tangles with Jack Twyman

Out of high school, Graboski did not go to college, but instead became a ballboy for the Stags. The 6'8 young man, just just two months shy of his 19th birthday, signed to play basketball for the Stags, and then embarked on a 16-season career as a professional basketball player, including a lengthy stint with the Warriors that included the 1955-56 NBA champs. It was while playing with the Warriors that fellow teammate George Senesky introduced him to a young lady named Martie, who would marry in 1957.

Joe and Martie had a son and 2 daughters.

Source:
Philadelphia Daily News, July 8, 1998

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/grabojo01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=grabojo01

Jack Eskridge

John Wallace "Jack" Eskridge

Born:
January 21, 1924


Died:
February 11, 2013
Independence, MO


Career
William Chrisman High School - Independence, MO (High School)
1941-42 Graceland College (College)
1942-43 Graceland College (College)
1947-48 Kansas University (College)
1948-49 Chicago Stags (BAA)
1948-49 Indianapolis Jets (BAA)
1952-53 Atchison High School - Kansas (High School) - Head coach
1953-54 Atchison High School - Kansas (High School) - Head coach
1954-55 Kansas University (College) - Assistant coach
1955-56 Kansas University (College) - Assistant coach
1956-57 Kansas University (College) - Assistant coach
1957-58 Kansas University (College) - Assistant coach
1958-59 Kansas University (College) - Assistant coach


Eskridge served in the USMC during World War 2, at witnessed both flag raisings on Iwo Jima. He returned to college after the war, and played pro basketball briefly before taking a coaching job at Atchison High School in Kansas. He was later hired by Phog Allen to be an assistant coach at KU. He left Kansas to work as the equipment manager with Tom Landry for the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL, and is credited with designing the Cowboy's logo.

Source:
Obituary

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/eskrija01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=eskrija01

Jim Browne

James Frederick Browne


Born:
October 3, 1930
Midlothian, IL

Died:
April 23, 2003
Titusville, FL


Career
1946-47 Tilden Tech - Chicago (High School)
1947-48 Tilden Tech - Chicago (High School)
1948-49 Chicago Stags (BAA)
1949-50 Denver Nuggets (NBA)

Browne was born in Midlothian, Illinois, near Chicago. He attended Tilden Tech in Chicago, and went straight to professional basketball, skipping college. He was barely 18 years of age when he made his debut with the Stags. He later worked as a contractor, specializing in interior trim.

He and his wife Gladys, had a son and a daughter.

Source:
Florida Today (Coca, FL), April 25, 2003

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/brownji01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=brownji01

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

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

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

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

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