1947-48 Denver Nuggets (ABL-AAU)

1947-48 DENVER NUGGETS
AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - AAU
Finished: 15-8 .652 (16-8 .667), 2nd place

Received one forfeit win from Phoenix

Head Coach:

• Ralph Bishop (October 1, 1915 - October 1, 1974)

PLAYERS:

• Hank Balke (December 27, 1922 - March 13, 2004)

• Vince Boryla (March 11, 1927 - March 27, 2016)

Biography

• Jimmy Darden (June 19, 1922 - April 29, 1994)

Biography

• Ward Gibson (December 5, 1921 - February 1, 1958)

Biography

• Jack Gray (October 6, 1920 - June 30, 2014)

• Neal Large (March 6, 1922 - April 28, 2004)

• Roy Lipscomb (January 3, 1923 - November 24, 1984)

• Ed Little (March 19, 1925 - November 1978)

• Ron Livingstone (October 9, 1925 - August 26, 1991)

Biography

• Robert Salen (September 28, 1924 - October 20, 2022)

1946-47 Denver Nuggets (ABL-AAU)

1946-47 DENVER NUGGETS
AMERICAN BASKETBALL LEAGUE - AAU
Finished: 9-11 .450, 5th place

ABL Tournament - Runner-up 3-1

The Denver club, now known as the Nuggets, tried to improve their fortunes be revamping their roster, only bringing back Ace Gruenig, Larry Varnell as well as returning playing coach Jack McCracken. They stumbled out to a poor start, but played a little better at the end of the regular season. The Nuggets hit their stride in the ABL tournament, advancing to the final game which they lost to Oakland.

Head Coach:

• Jack McCracken (June 15, 1912 - January 5, 1958) 6-0 Also played. See below

PLAYERS:

• Chink Alterman (March 8, 1922 - February 6, 2009)

Biography

• Ralph Bishop (October 1, 1915 - October 1, 1974)

Biography

• Vince Boryla (March 11, 1927 - March 27, 2016)

Biography

• Jimmy Darden (June 19, 1922 - April 29, 1994)

Biography

• Jack Gray (October 6, 1920 - June 30, 2014)

• Ace Gruenig (March 12, 1913 - August 11, 1958)

Biography

• Ralph Langer (April 18, 1921 - October 18, 1998)

Biography

• Bob Marsh (November 10, 1913 - January 20, 1973)

• Art Mathisen (November 27, 1920 -January 5, 2004)

• Jack McCracken (June 15, 1912 - January 5, 1958)

• Ed Sholine (June 2, 1921 - January 9, 2002)

• Art Unger (August 12, 1915 - November 1, 2003)

• Larry Varnell (March 8, 1918 - July 15, 2008)

Bob Royer

Robert Dee Royer


Born:
October 15, 1927
Indiana

Died:
May 30, 1973
Lafayette, IN


Career
1944-45 Bowling Green High School - Indiana (High School)
1945-46 Indiana State University (College)
1946-47 Indiana State University (College)
1947-48 Indiana State University (College)
1948-49 Indiana State University (College)
1949-50 Denver Nuggets (NBA)

A basketball player at Bowling Green HS and Indiana State, Royer played for the Denver Nuggets in 1949-50. He later was a real estate salesman and an investment counselor, working out of Lafayette and Chicago. 

On May 29, 1973, Royer walked the office of Cosden Oil in Calumet City, Illinois, and shot a 32-year old receptionist, Elizabeth Conde Darling, twice, killing her. He fled the scene, and police began an intensive manhunt for him. He drove home to Lafayette, Indiana, and the next day, fired a shotgun into his abdomen, killing himself instantly. There was a note found on him that read, "To whom it may concern. Someone will understand." Royer and Darling had been having an affair prior to the murder, and when Royer said he was going to leave his wife and wanted to marry Elizabeth, she declined, after which Royer threatened her.

Gary was married to Gloria and they had three sons and a daughter.

Source:
Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN), May 31, 1973
The Times (Munster, IN), May 31, 1973
Star Press (Muncie, IN), June 1, 1973
Terre Haute Tribune, June 1, 1973
The Times (Munster, IN), June 1, 1973

Stats:
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/royerbo01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=royerbo01

Ron Livingstone

George Ronald "Ron" Livingstone


Born:
October 9, 1925
Oakland, CA

Died:
August 26, 1991
California


Career
1944-45 Modesto JC - California (College)
1945-46 Modesto JC - California (College)
1946-47 St Mary's College - California (College)
1946-47 Oakland Bittners (ABL-AAU)
1947-48 Denver Nuggets (ABL-AAU)
1948-49 University of Wyoming (College)
1949-50 Baltimore Bullets (NBA)
1949-50 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)
1950-51 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)

Livingstone went from Modesto Junior College to St Mary's, and joined the Oakland Bittners in 1947 in time for the AAU tournament. He left college to play for the Denver Nuggets in the western version of the ABL, which was essentially a semi-pro league of teams that would later compete in the AAU tournament. He returned to college to player for the University of Wyoming and was drafted by the Baltimore Bullets in the NBA. Barely a month into the season, the Bullets traded Livingstone to Philadelphia in exchange for Ed Sadowski.

Source:


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/livinro01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=livinro01

Duane Klueh

Duane Myron Klueh


Born:
January 6, 1926
Bottineau, ND

Died:
June 2, 2024
Terre Haute, IN


Career
1939-40 State High School - Terre Haute, IN (High School)
1940-41 State High School - Terre Haute, IN (High School)
1941-42 State High School - Terre Haute, IN (High School)
1942-43 State High School - Terre Haute, IN (High School)
1946-47 Indiana State Teachers College (College)
1947-48 Indiana State Teachers College (College)
1948-49 Indiana State Teachers College (College)
1949-50 Denver Nuggets (NBA)
1949-50 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA)
1950-51 Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA)
1951-52 Fowler High School - Indiana (High School)
1952-53 Fowler High School - Indiana (High School)
1953-54 Fowler High School - Indiana (High School)
1954-55 Fowler High School - Indiana (High School)
1955-56 Indiana State University (College) Head coach
1956-57 Indiana State University (College) Head coach
1957-58 Indiana State University (College) Head coach
1958-59 Indiana State University (College) Head coach
1959-60 Indiana State University (College) Head coach
1960-61 Indiana State University (College) Head coach
1961-62 Indiana State University (College) Head coach
1962-63 Indiana State University (College) Head coach
1963-64 Indiana State University (College) Head coach
1964-65 Indiana State University (College) Head coach
1965-66 Indiana State University (College) Head coach
1966-67 Indiana State University (College) Head coach

After graduating high school, Klueh served in the U.S. Navy during World War 2. After the war, he attended Indiana State Teachers College (now Indiana State University) and then played two seasons in the NBA. He coached basketball at ISU through 1967, and stayed on as tennis coach for a few more years before retiring. He was a very skilled tennis player in his senior years, winning tournaments around Terre Haute and Indiana.

Duane married Mary Shannon in 1948.



Source:
https://www.nmnathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=15200&ATCLID=1550144
Terre Haute Tribune, February 18, 1971

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kluehdu01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=kluehdu01

Bill Herman

William Robert Herman


Born:
May 17, 1924
Ohio

Died:
June 13, 2010
Hudson, OH


Career
1940-41 Dover High School - Ohio (High School)
1941-42 Dover High School - Ohio (High School)
1942-43 Mount Union College (College)
1946-47 Mount Union College (College)
1947-48 Mount Union College (College)
1948-49 Mount Union College (College)
1949-50 Denver Nuggets (NBA)
1950-51 Denver Refiners (NPBL)
1950-51 Kansas City Hi-Spots (NPBL)

Born to Adam and Sylvia Herman, Bill attended Dover HS before going to Mount Union. After his freshman year, he entered the U.S. Navy and saw action in World War 2. He returned to Mount Union after the warm lettering in basketball and golf. Herman played pro basketball for a couple seasons after graduating. 

Source:


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hermabi01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=hermabi01

Earl Dodd

Glenn Earl "Earl" Dodd


Born:
November 1, 1924
Wood River, IL

Died:
October 30, 2004
Alton, IL


Career
1939-40 Bethalto High School - Illinois (High School)
1940-41 Bethalto High School - Illinois (High School)
1941-42 East Alton-Wood River High School -  Wood River, IL (High School)
1946-47 NE Missouri State Teachers College (College)
1947-48 NE Missouri State Teachers College (College)
1948-49 NE Missouri State Teachers College (College)
1949-50 Denver Nuggets (NBA)

After high school, Dodd served in the U.S. Army in Italy, receiving a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. He went to NE Missouri State (now Truman State University) and after graduating, played one season for the Denver Nuggets. He later worked as a construction foreman and died of congestive heart failure in 2004.

He married Opal Walker (1926-2011) in 1951 and they had one daughter.

Source:
St Louis Post-Dispatch (MO), November 4, 2004

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/doddea01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=doddea01

Ed Bartels

Edward John Bartels


Born:
October 8, 1925
New York, NY

Died:
November 4, 2007
Killingworth, CT


Career
1942-43 LaSalle Academy - New York City (High School)
1943-44 LaSalle Academy - New York City (High School)
1946-47 North Carolina State University (College)
1947-48 North Carolina State University (College)
1948-49 North Carolina State University (College)
1949-50 Denver Nuggets (NBA)
1949-50 Hartford Hurricanes (ABL)
1949-50 New York Knicks (NBA)
1950-51 Utica Pros (ABL)
1950-51 Washington Capitols (NBA)
1950-51 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)
1950-51 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1951-52 Scranton Miners (ABL)
1951-52 Wilkes-Barre Barons (ABL)
1951-52 Bridgeport Roesslers (ABL)
1952-53 Pawtucket Slaters (ABL)
1952-53 Middletown Guards (ABL)
1952-53 Manchester British Americans (ABL)
1952-53 Scranton Miners (ABL)

Ed was born to Edward and Emily Bartels in New York City. He served in the U.S. Army in World War 2 and then played basketball at NC State. He played two seasons in the NBA.

Ed married Maureen McCormick in 1956 and they had three sons and two daughters.

Source:
Hartford Courant, November 8, 2007

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/barteed01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=barteed01

1949-50 Denver Nuggets (NBA)

1949-50 DENVER NUGGETS
NATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Western Division
Finished: 11-51 .177, 6th place

The Nuggets came to the NBA in the merger after one season in the NBL. The team had existed for years as an independent professional and AAU team before joining an organized league. However, after a dismal 49-50 campaign, the team disbanded. The current Denver franchise in the NBA was named after this first pro team in the Mile High City.

• Head Coach: Jimmy Darden (June 19, 1922 - April 29, 1994) - also played (see below)

PLAYERS:

• Ed Bartels (October 8, 1925 - November 4, 2007)

Biography

• Bob Brown (November 12, 1923 - July 28, 2016)

Biography

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

Biography

• Jake Carter (July 25, 1924 - April 17, 2012)

Biography

• Jack Cotton (October 15, 1924 - September 26, 2016)

Biography

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

Biography

• Jimmy Darden (June 19, 1922 - April 29, 1994)

Biography

• Earl Dodd (November 1, 1924 - October 30, 2004)

Biography

• Al Guokas (August 7, 1925 - August 2, 1990)

Biography

• Bill Herman (May 17, 1924 - June 13, 2010)

Biography

• Duane Klueh (January 6, 1926 - June 2, 2024)

Biography

• Bob Royer (October 15, 1927 - May 30, 1973)

Biography

• Kenny Sailors (January 14, 1921 - January 30, 2016)

Biography

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

Biography

• Floyd Volker (June 21, 1921 - January 5, 1995)

Biography

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

Bob Brown

Robert Edward Brown


Born:
November 12, 1923
Versailles, OH

Died:
July 28, 2016
Missouri City, TX


Career
1939-40 Greenville High School - Ohio (High School)
1940-41 Greenville High School - Ohio (High School)
1941-42 Greenville High School - Ohio (High School)
1942-43 Miami University - Ohio (College)
1946-47 Miami University - Ohio (College)
1947-48 Miami University - Ohio (College)
1948-49 Miami University - Ohio (College)
1948-49 Providence Steamrollers (BAA)
1949-50 Denver Nuggets (NBA)
1950-51 Denver Refiners (NPBL)

Born in Versailles, Ohio, to Orville and Mabel Brown, Brown served in the USMC during World War 2. He graduated from Miami University of Ohio on January 28, 1949, and signed with the Steamrollers two days later. He played pro basketball for a few years before moving out to Texas. He worked as a sales rep and sales manager for many years in the steel industry.


Married twice, Brown had a son and a daughter.

Source:
New Journal (Wilmington, DE), January 31, 1949
Miami Redhawks Hall of Fame
Obituary, Miami University
Obituary, Houston Chronicle, August 21, 2016

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/brownbo01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=brownbo01

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

Kenny Sailors

Kenneth Lloyd Sailors


Born:
January 14, 1921
Bushnell, NE

Died:
January 30, 2016
Laramie, WY


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

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

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

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

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

Source:
kennysailorsjumpshot.com
Washington Post Obituary
NY Times Obituary

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

Kayo Wnorowski

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


Born:
October 4, 1921
Schenectady, NY

Died:
April 15, 1998
Schenectady ??, NY


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

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

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

Source:


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

Mo Udall

Morris King Udall


Born:
June 15, 1922
St. Johns, AZ

Died:
December 12, 1998
Washington, DC


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

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

Udall was married three times and he had six children.

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

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

 

Guy Mitchell

Guy Melven Mitchell


Born:
January 3, 1923
Kinderpost, MO

Died:
June 26, 1972
Denver, CO


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

Mitchell served in the military during World War 2.

His older brother, Roy, played basketball.

Source:
Military Grave

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

Gene Lalley

Eugene Claire Lalley


Born:
August 12, 1922
Des Moines, IA

Died:
December 20, 1972
Los Angeles, CA


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

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

He was married to Shirley and had two sons.

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

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

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

Hal Hutcheson

Harold Thomas Hutcheson


Born:
May 16, 1920
Hopkins, MO

Died:
September 17, 1991
Denver, CO ?? MO?


Career
1939-40 Maryville State College - Missouri (College)
1940-41 Maryville State College - Missouri (College)
1941-42 Maryville Leadways - Denver (AAU)
1945-46 Continental Airlines - Denver (AAU)
1946-47 Oklahoma City Continental Airlines (ABL-AAU)
1947-48 St. Joseph Outlaws (PBLA) Head coach / player
1948-49 Denver Nuggets (NBL)
1950-51 Kansas City Hi-Spots (NPBL)

Hutch played college basketball at Maryville State (now NW Missouri State) before serving in the Army during World War 2.

He was married to Dolores (1920-2008).

Source:


Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/h/hutchha01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=hutchha01

Al Guokas

Albert George Guokas


Born:
August 7, 1925
Philadelphia, PA

Died:
August 2, 1990
Somers Point, NJ


Career
St. Joseph's Prep - Philadelphia (High School)
1946-47 St. Joseph's University - Pennsylvania (College)
1947-48 St. Joseph's University - Pennsylvania (College)
1948-49 Denver Nuggets (NBL)
1949-50 Denver Nuggets (NBA)
1949-50 Philadelphia Warriors (NBA)
1950-51 York Victories (EPBL)
1951-52 Lancaster Rockets  (EPBL)
1952-53 Lancaster Roses (EPBL) 
1953-54 Sunbury Mercuries (EPBL)

Guokas served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War 2, and attended St Joseph's after the war. He played with the Nuggets before being picked up by the Warrios. His older brother, Matt, was a player for the Warriors before a serious car accident ended his career. Al later was a teacher and a realtor.

In August of 1990, Guokas played nine holes of golf with his son and then went swimming. He suffered a heart attack while in the pool and died shortly after at the hospital.


He was married to Dorothea Skiffington in 1950 and had three sons, Albert, James and Michael.

Source:
Obituary

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/g/guokaal01n.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/guokaal01.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=guokaal01

Bob Gruenig

Robert Francis "Ace" Gruenig


Born:
March 12, 1913
Chicago, IL

Died:
August 11, 1958
Del Norte, CO


Career
1929-30 Crane Tech - Chicago, IL (High School)
1930-31 Crane Tech - Chicago, IL (High School)
1931-32 Crane Tech - Chicago, IL (High School)
1932-33 Chicago Rosenberg-Arvey  (AAU)
1933-34 Chicago Fast Freighters (AAU)
1934-35 Denver Piggly Wiggly (AAU)
1935-36 Denver Safeway (AAU)
1936-37 Denver Safeway (AAU)
1937-38 Denver Safeway (AAU) 
1938-39 Denver Nuggets (AAU)
1939-40 Denver Nuggets (AAU)
1940-41 Denver (AAU)
1941-42 Denver American Legion (AAU)
1942-43 Denver American Legion (AAU)
1943-44 Denver Ambrose Jellymakers (AAU)
1944-45 Denver Ambrose Jellymakers (AAU)
1945-46 Denver Ambrose Jellymakers (ABL-AAU)
1946-47 Denver Nuggets (ABL-AAU)
1947-48 Denver Murphy Mahoney (AAU)
1948-49 Denver Nuggets (NBL)

NATIONAL BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME, 1968

One of the professional games earliest big men, 6'8 Gruenig grew up in Chicago and played basketball in high school and then represented his hometown in the AAU. He was lured away to Denver, where he was a regular star in AAU tournaments for years. He played briefly for the Nuggets when they joined the NBL at 35 years of age.
In August of 1958, Gruenig and his wife were vacationing with friends. He returned from fishing to claim he didn't feel well. A couple hours later, he was dead from a heart attack. He was only 45.

"Ace" was posthumously elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1968.

He was married to Helen.

Source:
Greeley Daily Tribune, August 12, 1958
Basketball Hall of Fame

Stats:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/g/gruenro01n.html
http://www.justsportsstats.com/basketballstatsindex.php?player_id=gruenbo01