Bobby Wanzer

Bobby Wanzer
No. 9
Guard
Personal information
Date of birth June 4, 1921 (1921-06-04) (age 90)
Place of birth Brooklyn, New York
Nationality American
Listed height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Listed weight 170 lb (77 kg)
Career information
College Seton Hall
Pro career 1947–1957
Career history
As player:
1947–1957 Rochester Royals
As coach:
19551959 Rochester / Cincinnati Royals
Career highlights and awards
Career BAA and NBA statistics
Points 6,924 (12.2 ppg)
Rebounds 1,979 (4.5 rpg)
Assists 1,830 (3.2 apg)
Stats at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Basketball Hall of Fame as player

Robert Francis (Bobby) Wanzer, also known as "Hooks" Wanzer (born June 4, 1921 in Brooklyn, New York) is a former basketball player and coach. A 6'0" guard, he played collegiately at Seton Hall University, and was selected by the Rochester 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 1950-51 National Basketball Association (NBA) title.

He played his entire 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 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987. Wanzer was the first player to ever shoot over 90% from the free 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 to Cincinnati, Ohio) coached for another season. His 1957-58 Cincinnati Royals were a NBA contender, but injuries stopped the team short. When star Maurice Stokes was permanently injured, Wanzer moved on early the following NBA season. He later coached St. John Fisher College in Pittsford, New York.

On August 17, 2007 he was inducted into the United States Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame.

External links

Preceded by
Les Harrison
Rochester/Cincinnati Royals head coach
19551959
Succeeded by
Tom Marshall