Forrest DeBernardi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Forrest S. "Red" DeBernardi (February 3, 1899 – April 29, 1970) was a well-known collegiate basketball player in the 1920s. At 6 ft. 1 in. DeBernardi was one of the best centers of his era, but basically played all five positions. The Nevada, Missouri native attended University of Kansas from 1920 to 1921, but then left for Westminster College, where he played from 1921 to 1923. At Westminster he was named All-Conference consecutive times in 1922 and 1923.

Following his impressive collegiate career, DeBernardi became an even more outstanding Amateur Athletic Union player. Between 1920 and 1929, when he played with Kansas City Athletic Club (1920-22), Hillyard Shine Alls (1923-27) and Cook's Painter Boys (1928-29), he participated in 10 national AAU tournaments and was named to the AAU All American team eight times. Five times he has been part of a national championship team.

In 1938 the Associated Press selected DeBernardi as the center on its All-Time All America college basketball team. He was also awarded with the Helms Athletic Foundation Hall of Fame Award in 1952. And in 1961, Forrest DeBernardi was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame.