Eddie Gottleib

Local, SPHAS, Philadelphia Warriors, Philadalphia Stars

Highly acclaimed innovator and promoter of the game and known as “The Mogul of Basketball”

Organized and coached a team representing the South Philadelphia Hebrew Association (1918)

Became known as the Philadelphia SPHAS, they played 75-80 games annually

As part of a special series during the 1925-26 season, the SPHAS defeated both the Original Celtics and New York Rens

Led the SPHAS to 11 championships from the late 1920s to early 1940s as they dominated the Eastern and American Leagues

Helped establish the Basketball Association of America – BAA (1946)

Owner, GM, Coach, and chief ticket seller of one of the BAA’s original franchises, the Philadelphia Warriors

Led the Warriors to the BAA first championship (1946-47)

Instrumental in merging the BAA with the National Basketball League to form the NBA

Helped organize overseas Harlem Globetrotter tours

Served as chairman of the NBA Rules Committee for 25 years

Trophy named in his honor is awarded annually to the NBA’s Rookie of the Year

Owner of the Negro League Philadelphia Stars baseball team

Former NBA commissioner Larry O’Brien called him “Mr. Basketball”

Elected into the South Philadelphia High School Sports Hall of Fame

Elected into the Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame (1997)

Elected to the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame

Elected to the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame (1980)

Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1972)