Nat Holman

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Nat Holman (b. October 19, 1896 in New York, NY–d. February 12, 1995 in Bronx, New York) was one of the early pro basketball players and one of the game's most important innovators. Known for his exceptional ball-handling and his accurate shooting, Holman was a star player at New York University and [[an important part of the Original Celtics (no relation to the Boston Celtics). Also a gifted passer and excellent floor leader, Holman has been a prototype to later playmakers. Although he played pro basketball until 1930, he took over the head coaching position at the City College of New York in 1920. Known as Mr. Basketball, Holman guided CCNY to the so-called grand slam of college basketball, winning both the NCAA and NIT titles in 1950, a feat that has never been achieved since. Holman compiled a 421-190 record in 37 seasons at CCNY, retiring in 1960. In his later years, he lived and died at the Hebrew Home for the Aged in the Riverdale section of the Bronx.