Alex Groza
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| Olympic medal record | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Men's Basketball | |||
| Gold | 1948 London | United States | |
Alex John Groza (October 7, 1926 – January 21, 1995) was an American basketball player who was banned from the NBA for life in 1951 for point shaving.
Alex Groza was from Martins Ferry, Ohio. He had an outstanding college career at the University of Kentucky and was a 2-time all-star for the Indianapolis Olympians before his career came to an abrupt end.
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[edit] College career
Groza was the captain and center of the "Fabulous Five" that won the 1948 and 1949 NCAA Men's Basketball Championships, as well as the leading scorer on the gold medal-winning 1948 US Olympic basketball team. Groza was three-time All-American and All-SEC, and two-time NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player.
[edit] Professional career
Groza was drafted in the 1st round of the 1949 NBA Draft by the Indianapolis Olympians. Groza averaged 22.5 points per game over two seasons before being implicated along with college teammates Ralph Beard and Dale Barnstable in a point shaving scandal during the 1948-49 season at Kentucky. NBA president Maurice Podoloff banned all of the implicated players from the league for life.
[edit] Coaching career
After his playing career ended, Groza became the coach of Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1963, Groza led the Knights to a Kentucky Intercolliegiate Athletic Conference title and was named KIAC coach of the year. Groza left Bellarmine in 1966 for a brief coaching and managerial career in the ABA. Between 1971 and 1975, Groza coached 40 games with the Kentucky Colonels and San Diego Conquistadors and held a number of front office positions. Groza's career coaching record was 17-23 [1].
[edit] External links
- Alex Groza - UK Career Statistics and Biography
| Preceded by: George Kaftan |
NCAA Basketball Tournament Most Outstanding Player (men's) 1948–1949 |
Succeeded by: Irwin Dambrot |
| Preceded by: Wilt Chamberlain |
San Diego Conquistadors Head Coach 1974–1975 |
Succeeded by: Beryl Shipley |
