Wyndol Gray
Encyclopedia
Wyndol Woodrow Gray was an American
professional basketball
player in the 1940s.
Gray played at Akron South High School in Akron, Ohio
and went on to play collegiately at Bowling Green State University
in 1942. At the time, freshmen were allowed to play to compensate for a shortage of college-age players due to World War II. Gray played on future Hall of Fame coach Harold Anderson's
first team at Bowling Green. He led the team in scoring at 22.3 points per game and the Falcons went 18–4.
Gray joined the Navy
after the season, and returned to Bowling Green for the 1944–45 season
as a part of the V-12 Navy College Training Program
and, along with big man Don Otten
, led the Falcons to the final of the 1945 National Invitation Tournament
, where they were defeated by the George Mikan
-led DePaul Blue Demons
. After the season, Gray was named a consensus first team All-American
– Bowling Green's first in basketball.
In 1945–46, Gray played at Harvard
. There he led the Crimson to their first NCAA tournament appearance and at the conclusion of the season he was named a second team All-American by the Sporting News magazine, giving him the unusual distinction of being named an All-American
at two different universities.
After his college career was over, Gray played for Honey Russell on the first Boston Celtics
team in 1946–47. He played in 55 of the team's 60 games and finished third on the team in scoring at 6.4 points per game. The following season, the Celtics traded Gray to the St. Louis Bombers
for guard Cecil Hankins
. Eleven games into his Bombers career, Gray was again traded, this time to the Providence Steamrollers
for forward Ariel Maughan
. Gray's Steamrollers career lasted only one game.
Wyndol Gray died on March 20, 1994.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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 in the 1940s.
Gray played at Akron South High School in Akron, Ohio
Akron, Ohio
Akron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
and went on to play collegiately at Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green Falcons men's basketball
The Bowling Green Falcons men's basketball team is the basketball team that represent Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. The school's team currently competes in the Mid-American Conference. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 1968...
in 1942. At the time, freshmen were allowed to play to compensate for a shortage of college-age players due to World War II. Gray played on future Hall of Fame coach Harold Anderson's
Harold Anderson
W. Harold Anderson was a college men's basketball coach at Bowling Green State University and the University of Toledo. As a player, he played at Otterbein College, a small liberal arts college outside of Columbus, Ohio. As a coach, he was one of the first to win more than 500 games on the...
first team at Bowling Green. He led the team in scoring at 22.3 points per game and the Falcons went 18–4.
Gray joined the Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
after the season, and returned to Bowling Green for the 1944–45 season
1944–45 NCAA men's basketball season
-Season headlines:*More than 18,000 fans attended Madison Square Garden for the final installment of an annual American Red Cross benefit game between the NCAA Tournament and NIT champions. Oklahoma A&M, led by Bob Kurland, defeated George Mikan's DePaul 52–44...
as a part of the V-12 Navy College Training Program
V-12 Navy College Training Program
The V-12 Navy College Training Program was designed to supplement the force of commissioned officers in the United States Navy during World War II...
and, along with big man Don Otten
Don Otten
Donald F. Otten was an American professional basketball player.A 6'10" center from Bellefontaine High School and Bowling Green State University, Otten began his professional career in 1946 with the Tri-Cities Blackhawks of the National Basketball League...
, led the Falcons to the final of the 1945 National Invitation Tournament
1945 National Invitation Tournament
The 1945 National Invitation Tournament was the 1945 edition of the annual NCAA college basketball competition.-Selected teams:Below is a list of the 8 teams selected for the tournament.-Brackets/Results:Below is the tournament bracket....
, where they were defeated by the George Mikan
George Mikan
George Lawrence Mikan, Jr. , nicknamed Mr. Basketball, was an American professional basketball player for the Chicago American Gears of the National Basketball League and the Minneapolis Lakers of the NBL, the Basketball Association of America and the National Basketball Association...
-led DePaul Blue Demons
DePaul Blue Demons men's basketball
The DePaul Blue Demons Men's Basketball program is the NCAA Division I intercollegiate men's basketball program of DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois...
. After the season, Gray was named a consensus first team All-American
1945 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans
The Consensus 1945 College Basketball All-American team, as determined by aggregating the results of four major All-American teams. To earn "consensus" status, a player must win honors from a majority of the following teams: the Helms Athletic Foundation, Converse, The Sporting News, and Argosy...
– Bowling Green's first in basketball.
In 1945–46, Gray played at Harvard
Harvard Crimson men's basketball
Harvard Crimson men's basketball program represents intercollegiate men's basketball at Harvard University. The team currently competes in the Ivy League in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and play home games at the Lavietes Pavilion in Boston, Massachusetts. The team's...
. There he led the Crimson to their first NCAA tournament appearance and at the conclusion of the season he was named a second team All-American by the Sporting News magazine, giving him the unusual distinction of being named an All-American
NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans
The NCAA Men's Basketball All-American teams are honorary teams made up of those NCAA basketball players voted the best in the country by a variety of organizations.-History:...
at two different universities.
After his college career was over, Gray played for Honey Russell on the first 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...
team in 1946–47. He played in 55 of the team's 60 games and finished third on the team in scoring at 6.4 points per game. The following season, the Celtics traded Gray to the St. Louis Bombers
St. Louis Bombers (NBA)
The St. Louis Bombers were a National Basketball Association team based in St. Louis, Missouri, founded in 1946. The team ceased operations in 1950.- Franchise history :...
for guard Cecil Hankins
Cecil Hankins
Cecil O. Hankins was an American basketball and football player who played for the St. Louis Bombers and Boston Celtics in the Basketball Association of America prior to the formation of the NBA....
. Eleven games into his Bombers career, Gray was again traded, this time to the Providence Steamrollers
Providence Steamrollers
The Providence Steamrollers were a National Basketball Association team based in Providence, Rhode Island. As of November 2011, the Steamrollers remain the last pro sports franchise from one of the Big Four leagues to be based in Rhode Island....
for forward Ariel Maughan
Ariel Maughan
Ariel Leishman Maughan was an American professional basketball player. Maughan attended Utah State University and started his professional career in the Basketball Association of America in 1946, his career lasted five seasons and he played for four teams...
. Gray's Steamrollers career lasted only one game.
Wyndol Gray died on March 20, 1994.