Anthony George Kappen was an American professional basketball

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...

 player.

A 5'10" guard who did not attend college, Kappen played for the Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...

 and the Pittsburgh Ironmen

Pittsburgh Ironmen

The Pittsburgh Ironmen were a charter member of the Basketball Association of America . The team was based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They ended their only season in the BAA in 1946-47 with a record of 15-45, finishing in fifth and last place in the Western Division and worst overall in the league...

 during the 1946–47 BAA season. He averaged 6.5 points per game during the season on 23.8% shooting. Kappen and Celtics teammate Connie Simmons

Connie Simmons

Cornelius "Connie" Leo Simmons was an American professional basketball player. He was born in Newark, New Jersey....

 were the first players in the BAA (later known as the NBA) who did not have any college experience. Kappen had previously played in the American Basketball League

American Basketball League (1925-1955)

The American Basketball League was an early professional basketball league. During six seasons from 1925-26 to 1930-31, the ABL was the first attempt to create a major professional basketball league in the United States...

 for the New York Gothams

New York Gothams (basketball)

The New York Gothams were an American basketball team based in New York, New York, that was a member of the American Basketball League.The team was previously known as the Westchester Indians. The team moved to New York during the 1944/45 season and became known as the New York Gothams. After the...

 and Brooklyn Gothams

Brooklyn Gothams

The Brooklyn Gothams were an American basketball team based in Brooklyn, New York that was a member of the American Basketball League.Before the 1946/47 season the team was known as the New York Gothams.-Year-by-year:...

.

Celtics PR director Howie McHugh said that Kappen "was one of the few guys [on the 1946–47 Celtics] who were serious about playing". However, Kappen was traded midseason to the Pittsburgh Ironmen for Moe Becker

Moe Becker

Morris R. "Moe" Becker was an American basketball player.He played collegiately for Duquesne University.He played for the Pittsburgh Ironmen, Boston Celtics and Detroit Falcons in the BAA for 43 games....

, who had become available after a falling-out with his coach.