Irv Rothenberg

From Hoopedia

Irwin "Irv" Rothenberg is a charter member of the NBA, having played the first year of the league with the Cleveland Rebels in 1946 when the league was known as the BAA. He was one of the tallest men in the league at 6 ft 7.5 inches tall.

In college Rothenberg played for the Long Island Blackbirds, one of the top college teams in the country coached by Clair Bee, who is still considered one of the best college coaches of all time. Rothenberg's college career was interrupted by WWII when he enlisted and served in the US Army. Upon leaving the Army, he played professional basketball with the Philadelphia SPHAs and the New York Gothams.

After the first year the Cleveland Rebels dropped out of the league and Rotheberg was drafted by the Washington Capitals, coached by Red Auerbach. He then played for the Baltimore Bullets and later the St. Louis Bombers. In St. Louis during the 1947-48 season, Irv was instrumental in bringing the team from last place to first place, winning the western division conference.

He finished his basketball career in his late twenties with the New York Knicks. Irv then decided to go back to college and earn his degree. He went on to a successful career in the textile industry and retired to south Florida in 1988.