Syracuse Nationals
From Hoopedia
1946-49
1949-63
The Syracuse Nationals began as a barnstorming team in 1939. The Nationals joined the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1946, becoming the largely Midwest-based league's easternmost team.
In 1949 the Nationls were part of the merger between the NBL and the Basketball Association of America, which created the National Basketball Association. In 1955, Syracuse, led by coach Al Cervi and forward Dolph Schayes, won the NBA championship.
In 1963 the Nationals were sold to new investors and moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where they became the Philadelphia 76ers.
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