Jack Coleman (basketball)

infobox NBA Player
name = Jack Coleman
nickname =


position = Forward/Center
height_ft = 6 | height_in = 7
weight_lbs = 195
league = NBA
birth_date = May 23, 1924
birth_place = Burgin, Kentucky
death_date = death date and age|1998|12|11|1924|5|23
college = Louisville
draft =
team =
career_start = 1949
career_end = 1958
former_teams = Rochester Royals (1948-1956)
St. Louis Hawks (1956-1958)
awards =
halloffame =

Jack L. Coleman (May 23 1924–December 11 1998) was an American professional basketball player.

A 6'7" forward/center from the University of Louisville, Coleman played nine seasons (1949-1958) in the National Basketball Association as a member of the Rochester Royals and St. Louis Hawks. He tallied 6,721 points and 5,186 rebounds in his career, and he represented Rochester in the 1955 NBA All-Star Game. Coleman also appeared in three NBA Finals, winning championships with Rochester in 1951 and St. Louis in 1958. [ [http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/colemja01.html http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/colemja01.html] . Retrieved 16 February 2007.]

During the Hawks' losing effort in the 1957 NBA Finals, Coleman became the unwitting victim of one of Bill Russell's greatest defensive plays. In the final game of the series, Coleman had an opportunity to clinch the Hawks' championship with a layup after receiving an outlet pass at midcourt. Bill Russell, who had been standing at his own baseline when the play began, ran the entire length of the floor and managed to block Coleman's shot, preserving the victory for the Celtics. Celtics announcer Johnny Most screamed, “Blocked by Russell! Blocked by Russell! He came from nowhere!” The play has since gone down in history as the "Coleman Play." [ [http://www.nba.com/encyclopedia/players/bill_russell.html http://www.nba.com/encyclopedia/players/bill_russell.html] . Retrieved 16 February 2007.]

Notes