John Townsend (basketball)
Encyclopedia
John Frederick "Jake" Townsend, Sr. (September 20, 1916 – December 4, 2001) was an American basketball
forward and center
. He was an All-Big Ten player for the University of Michigan
from 1936-1938. In 1938, he was named an All-American. He later played professional basketball for the Indianapolis Kautskys, Oshkosh All-Stars
and Rochester Royals
.
in Indianapolis
. He led Arsenal Tech to the state finals in 1934, losing to Logansport. He was All-State in basketball in Indiana twice and won the Dyer Medal, Indianapolis’ top athletic award.
from 1936 to 1938. Townsend was named to the All-Big Ten team and led Michigan in scoring each year from 1936-1938. Considered the greatest Michigan basketball player in the era before Cazzie Russell, Townsend was six feet, four inches (102 mm) tall.
Known as the “Houdini of the Hardwood,” Townsend scored 108 points in 1936 and was the only sophomore selected for the All-Big Ten team. The Associated Press
chose Townsend as the All-Big Ten center in 1936 even though he played regularly at forward throughout the season.
In 1937, Townsend was named to the All-Big Ten year for the second consecutive year and finished second in scoring in the Big Ten. He had 40 field goals, made 43 out of 59 free throws, and had 123 points. Described by the AP as "the great Wolverine ball-handler," Townsend was again named as a center. He was "generally credited with being the best ball handler in the Big Ten."
In 12 games in 1938, Townsend had 45 field goals, converted 45 of 64 free throws, and finished fourth in the conference with 135 points. He was named an All-Big Ten player by both the United Press and the Associated Press
for the third straight year. The United Press noted that Townsend was a unanimous choice for the second consecutive year. Though Purdue's Jewell Young
was the Big Ten scoring leader in 1938, Townsend excelled as a scorer, rebounder, and ball-handler. The United Press said: "It was Townsend's third year on the all-star team. He won his first recognition as a center, twice more as a forward. Players, especially, conceded Townsend was the greatest all-around man in the conference." The Associated Press said: "John (Jake) Townsend of Michigan won the center assignment by a big margin and in 'making' the team for the third consecutiveyear, accomplished a rare feat in Big Ten basketball. Rated as the greatest player in Michigan hardwood history, Townsend received first place votes, either at forward or center, from nine coaches. The other one picked him for the second five."
In 1938, he became the fourth consensus All-American in school history. Townsend also competed for Michigan in the shot put and discus. He was ranked fifth in the country in the discus. He earned five varsity letter
s at Michigan – three in basketball and two in track.
In October 1938, Ed Ciesar, owner of the Hammond Ciesers announced he had signed Townsend to a professional basketball contract. Townsend played professional basketball in the NBL
as a member of the Indianapolis Kautskys, Oshkosh All-Stars
and Rochester Royals
.
, as well as four Indiana-Kentucky all-star games. He later worked as a broadcaster and coach.
in 1980 as part of the third induction class. Only two basketball players, Cazzie Russell and Rudy Tomjanovich
were inducted into the Hall of Honor before Townsend. In 2000, The Sporting News
picked Townsend as a member of its Michigan all-time basketball team; he was one of only two players from before 1974 named to the team. http://www.sportingnews.com/archives/sports2000/players/michigan-guards.html
, played basketball at the University of North Carolina
and in the NBA.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
forward and center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
. He was an All-Big Ten player for the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
from 1936-1938. In 1938, he was named an All-American. He later played professional basketball for the Indianapolis Kautskys, Oshkosh All-Stars
Oshkosh All-Stars
The Oshkosh All-Stars were a professional basketball team based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. From 1937 to 1948 they played in the National Basketball League, a forerunner to the NBA. The team appeared in the NBL finals five consecutive years , winning twice...
and Rochester Royals
Rochester Royals
The franchise that would become the Sacramento Kings initially started in the city of Rochester, New York, as the Rochester Royals of the National Basketball League....
.
High school basketball in Indiana
A native of Indiana, Townsend played for Arsenal Technical High SchoolArsenal Technical High School
Arsenal Technical High School is a public high school in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States which is run by the Indianapolis Public Schools school system. Established in 1912, the school consists of a , multiple building campus east of downtown Indianapolis and is the only such type school in...
in Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
. He led Arsenal Tech to the state finals in 1934, losing to Logansport. He was All-State in basketball in Indiana twice and won the Dyer Medal, Indianapolis’ top athletic award.
University of Michigan
He played collegiately for the University of MichiganMichigan Wolverines
The Michigan Wolverines comprise 27 varsity sports teams at the University of Michigan. These teams compete in the NCAA's Division I and in the Big Ten Conference in all sports except men's ice hockey which competes in the NCAA D1 Central Collegiate Hockey Association, and women's water polo, which...
from 1936 to 1938. Townsend was named to the All-Big Ten team and led Michigan in scoring each year from 1936-1938. Considered the greatest Michigan basketball player in the era before Cazzie Russell, Townsend was six feet, four inches (102 mm) tall.
Known as the “Houdini of the Hardwood,” Townsend scored 108 points in 1936 and was the only sophomore selected for the All-Big Ten team. The Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
chose Townsend as the All-Big Ten center in 1936 even though he played regularly at forward throughout the season.
In 1937, Townsend was named to the All-Big Ten year for the second consecutive year and finished second in scoring in the Big Ten. He had 40 field goals, made 43 out of 59 free throws, and had 123 points. Described by the AP as "the great Wolverine ball-handler," Townsend was again named as a center. He was "generally credited with being the best ball handler in the Big Ten."
In 12 games in 1938, Townsend had 45 field goals, converted 45 of 64 free throws, and finished fourth in the conference with 135 points. He was named an All-Big Ten player by both the United Press and the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
for the third straight year. The United Press noted that Townsend was a unanimous choice for the second consecutive year. Though Purdue's Jewell Young
Jewell Young
Jewell Young was an American basketball player. He was an All-American at Purdue University and an early professional....
was the Big Ten scoring leader in 1938, Townsend excelled as a scorer, rebounder, and ball-handler. The United Press said: "It was Townsend's third year on the all-star team. He won his first recognition as a center, twice more as a forward. Players, especially, conceded Townsend was the greatest all-around man in the conference." The Associated Press said: "John (Jake) Townsend of Michigan won the center assignment by a big margin and in 'making' the team for the third consecutiveyear, accomplished a rare feat in Big Ten basketball. Rated as the greatest player in Michigan hardwood history, Townsend received first place votes, either at forward or center, from nine coaches. The other one picked him for the second five."
In 1938, he became the fourth consensus All-American in school history. Townsend also competed for Michigan in the shot put and discus. He was ranked fifth in the country in the discus. He earned five varsity letter
Varsity letter
A varsity letter is an award earned in the United States for excellence in school activities. A varsity letter signifies that its winner was a qualified varsity team member, awarded after a certain standard was met.- Description :...
s at Michigan – three in basketball and two in track.
Professional ball
Immediately after graduating, Townsend played baseball in 1938 in the Bush-Feezle State League for the Indianapolis team. The Kokomo Tribune noted in late August: "The Indianapolis aggregation is led by Johnny Townsend, former Technical high basketball star and an All-American cage player at The University of Michigan. Latest statistics . . . show Townsend, a center fielder, is the loop's leading slugger. Townsend showed his prowess with the war club Wednesday when he tripled with the bags loaded to defeat the Muncie Acme-Lees team, 6-4."In October 1938, Ed Ciesar, owner of the Hammond Ciesers announced he had signed Townsend to a professional basketball contract. Townsend played professional basketball in the NBL
National Basketball League (United States)
Founded in 1937, the National Basketball League, often abbreviated to NBL, was a professional men's basketball league in the United States. The league would later merge with the Basketball Association of America to form the National Basketball Association in 1949.- League history :The...
as a member of the Indianapolis Kautskys, Oshkosh All-Stars
Oshkosh All-Stars
The Oshkosh All-Stars were a professional basketball team based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. From 1937 to 1948 they played in the National Basketball League, a forerunner to the NBA. The team appeared in the NBL finals five consecutive years , winning twice...
and Rochester Royals
Rochester Royals
The franchise that would become the Sacramento Kings initially started in the city of Rochester, New York, as the Rochester Royals of the National Basketball League....
.
Later years
Townsend later became a lawyer in Indianapolis. He also officiated basketball games in the 1940s for the Big Ten ConferenceBig Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
, as well as four Indiana-Kentucky all-star games. He later worked as a broadcaster and coach.
Honors and awards
He was inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of HonorUniversity of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor
The University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor, founded in 1978, recognizes University of Michigan athletes, coaches, and administrators who have made significant contributions to the university's athletic programs...
in 1980 as part of the third induction class. Only two basketball players, Cazzie Russell and Rudy Tomjanovich
Rudy Tomjanovich
Rudolph Tomjanovich, Jr. , nicknamed Rudy T., is an American retired basketball player and coach who coached the Houston Rockets to two consecutive NBA championships. He is currently a scout for the Los Angeles Lakers.-Early life:...
were inducted into the Hall of Honor before Townsend. In 2000, The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
picked Townsend as a member of its Michigan all-time basketball team; he was one of only two players from before 1974 named to the team. http://www.sportingnews.com/archives/sports2000/players/michigan-guards.html
Family
Townsend's grandson, Eric MontrossEric Montross
Eric Scott Montross is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the NBA....
, played basketball at the University of North Carolina
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
and in the NBA.