- Bobby Wanzer
infobox NBA Player
name = Bobby Wanzer
nickname = "Hooks"
position = Guard
height_ft = 6 | height_in = 0
weight_lbs = 170
nationality = USA
birth_date = Birth date and age|1921|6|4|mf=y
birth_place =Brooklyn ,New York
death_date =
college = Seton Hall
draft = 1948 - 1st round (10th pick) by theRochester Royals
team =
career_start = 1948
career_end = 1957
former_teams = Rochester Royals (1948-1957)
awards = USMC Sports Hall of Fame 2007
halloffame = 1987Robert Francis (Bobby) Wanzer, also known as "Hooks" Wanzer (born
June 4 1921 inBrooklyn ,New York ) is a formerbasketball player and coach. A 6'0" guard, he played collegiately atSeton Hall University , and was selected by theRochester Royals in 1947. Royals star Bob Davies was a Seton Hall assistant and steered the star guard to the NBL contender.Initially a reserve behind Al Cervi and Red Holzman, Wanzer later teamed with Davies to form a potent backcourt for the day. The Royals were very successful 1947-1954, and their smaller stars, like Wanzer, were considered their biggest assets. With Wanzer, Rochester won the 1950-51National Basketball Association (NBA) title.He played his entire nine-year career with the Royals, retiring from play after the end of the 1957 season. Wanzer was a five-time All-Star with the Royals, and was inducted into the
Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987. Wanzer was the first player to ever shoot over 90% from thefree throw line in a season.Wanzer would also coach the Royals as well. He was a
player-coach for two years, and then (after the franchise moved toCincinnati, Ohio ) coached for another season. His 1957-58 Cincinnati Royals were a NBA contender, but injuries stopped the team short. When starMaurice Stokes was tragically and permanently injured, Wanzer moved on early the following NBA season.He later coachedSt. John Fisher College inPittsford, New York .On August 17, 2007 he was inducted into the United States Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame.
External links
* [http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/wanzebo01.html Basketball-Reference.com: Bobby Wanzer (as player)]
* [http://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/wanzebo01c.html Basketball-Reference.com: Bobby Wanzer (as coach)]
* [http://www.hoophall.com/halloffamers/Wanzer.htm Basketball Hall of Fame: Bobby Wanzer]
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