Lost in the annals
of college basketball history
Probably the most tragic figure from the 1951 college betting scandal was the late Sherman White. This is a condensed version of the events, there is more detailed history available from several other sources. As for White he stood 6 feet 8 inches and checked in at 210 pounds, although records are incomplete its apparent he was a POWER forward before the term came into common usage. The sad part, he was the first player to receive a life-time ban from the NBA, White would serve an 8-month jail sentence the only player among the guilty to be incarcerated. It appears White was extremely naive leading to his involvement in point shaving. Despite his athletic prowess many colleges at the time failed to offer him a scholarship due to his poor academics. On the advice of his high school coach White enrolled at Villanova, in 1947 he was the only African-American student at the school and it’s reported he felt extremely uncomfortable and out of place.
Probably the most tragic figure from the 1951 college betting scandal was the late Sherman White. This is a condensed version of the events, there is more detailed history available from several other sources. As for White he stood 6 feet 8 inches and checked in at 210 pounds, although records are incomplete its apparent he was a POWER forward before the term came into common usage. The sad part, he was the first player to receive a life-time ban from the NBA, White would serve an 8-month jail sentence the only player among the guilty to be incarcerated. It appears White was extremely naive leading to his involvement in point shaving. Despite his athletic prowess many colleges at the time failed to offer him a scholarship due to his poor academics. On the advice of his high school coach White enrolled at Villanova, in 1947 he was the only African-American student at the school and it’s reported he felt extremely uncomfortable and out of place.
White left Villanova and returned to Englewood New Jersey, once
home the basketball coach at Long Island University contacted him offering a
scholarship. It’s likely much closer to
home White felt more comfortable, he would blossom in his junior and senior years averaging
22 and 27 points a game, then the roof caved in. He was named along with several others in the
1951 college basketball point shaving scandal.
It was later reported the Knicks planned on making him a territorial
pick, he says the offer would have been for $12,000-$13,000 a year, George
Mikan was making $22,000 a year as the league’s highest paid player. The NBA at that time and until 1966 had a
policy of territorial picks, 1.
“before the
draft, a team could forfeit its first-round draft pick and then select any player from within a 50-mile
radius of its home arena. Although the
territorial picks were selected before the draft, these picks were not factored
into the overall selection count of the draft; therefore, the first
non-territorial pick of the draft was considered the first overall.”
White claims of all the players involved he was the only one
sent to prison, they claimed at the time it was due to a juvenile record which
White denies. As for him being the only
one to serve jail time he attributed it to racism of that era. He was sentenced to 1-year at Rikers Island
but was released after serving 8 months and 24 days. What would he do, basketball had become such an
integral part of his life. He couldn’t
return to college, in addition he was banned from NBA play for life. White would go on to play in the defunct
Eastern Professional Basketball League on weekends, he did this for the next 9
years. Weekdays he sold storm windows,
automobiles and liquor, he would coach YMCA basketball in Newark and East
Orange New Jersey after his playing days had concluded. White married twice, he and his second wife would
raise a total of six children, White died in 2011 of congestive heart failure,
a once bright shining star that dimmed before its time. White admitted his guilt, whether it was just
being naive or an effort to help his family we don’t know the full story.
1. Wikipedia
1. Wikipedia
A new Laker
I listen more than talk in the barber shop, sometimes I gain knowledge other times well let’s just say I leave some of the opinions in the building. Most of the regulars know (or at least I’ve made it known) I’m part of Laker Nation. Naturally the team becomes part of the conversation when haircut time is at hand. First the news, it appears Tyson Chandler will join the Lakers. The 36-year old center will be released by the Suns and head for Los Angeles.
I listen more than talk in the barber shop, sometimes I gain knowledge other times well let’s just say I leave some of the opinions in the building. Most of the regulars know (or at least I’ve made it known) I’m part of Laker Nation. Naturally the team becomes part of the conversation when haircut time is at hand. First the news, it appears Tyson Chandler will join the Lakers. The 36-year old center will be released by the Suns and head for Los Angeles.
His defensive presence should be a plus in relief of JaVale
McGee, I’m reading this Kuzma/LeBron at center doesn’t appear successful. As for the barber shop crew they told me in
unison “The Lakers need to trade some of
those youngsters for a veteran.” I
didn’t argue but I’m not exactly sure if that’s the best move, Julius Randle is
gone is it Kuzma, Ball or Ingram up next?
I want to keep the trio as for any other youngsters left, I could see
trading them for a veteran. That’s my
story and I’m sticking to it.
Headed for the NBA?
Jalen Lecque is a 6-foot 4-inch 180-pound point guard. He’s the Rivals number 28 prospect in the Class of 2019 and attends Brewster Academy in New Hampshire. Lecque is from the Bronx in New York, earlier he verbally committed to North Carolina State however there is more. Lecque is a 5th year senior, he will turn 19 before the June 2019 draft. Lecque indicates he might be a candidate for the draft, is the young man “NBA-ready” might be the next question and one I'm unable to answer?
Jalen Lecque is a 6-foot 4-inch 180-pound point guard. He’s the Rivals number 28 prospect in the Class of 2019 and attends Brewster Academy in New Hampshire. Lecque is from the Bronx in New York, earlier he verbally committed to North Carolina State however there is more. Lecque is a 5th year senior, he will turn 19 before the June 2019 draft. Lecque indicates he might be a candidate for the draft, is the young man “NBA-ready” might be the next question and one I'm unable to answer?
It appears he received
what he wanted
After the Cavs fired Ty Lue it was assumed assistant coach Larry Drew would take the reins of the team. Drew said, “Hold on a moment, don’t assume I want this job without adequate compensation.” We must guess the Cavs believed Drew would say okay based on a couple of factors. Cavs players relate to Drew and he is (it’s reported) the highest paid assistant in the association.
After the Cavs fired Ty Lue it was assumed assistant coach Larry Drew would take the reins of the team. Drew said, “Hold on a moment, don’t assume I want this job without adequate compensation.” We must guess the Cavs believed Drew would say okay based on a couple of factors. Cavs players relate to Drew and he is (it’s reported) the highest paid assistant in the association.
Despite these circumstances the deal was not secured until Monday. The Kansas City Kansas native will remain
interim coach for the balance of the season.
In addition, he will receive a partially guaranteed deal for 2019-20. This appears to be a win-win for all parties
concerned, now coach about that basketball team. Other than being compensated I wonder if Drew
wants the job for the long-haul?
