Ah Chew Goo
Encyclopedia
Ah Chew Goo is an American former basketball player and former coach of the University of Hawaii
men’s basketball team, who is known primarily for his basketball dribbling and passing abilities.
Goo, who stands only 5-foot-4 ½ inches, is known for his remarkable ability to dribble the ball and keep it away from defenders and for his no-look and seemingly gravity-defying passes.
He started working on his basketball skills at age 7, practicing his passing off of telephone poles as he walked down the street. As a result, he became one of Hawaii’s most famous basketball players, leading Hilo High School
to three straight Territorial championships between 1934-36. After high school, Goo played with a traveling team of Hawaiian all-stars in the United States. He retired from competitive basketball in 1940, due to ill health, and never played in college or professionally.
In his mid-1940s, Goo coached a local team in a game against the Harlem Globetrotters
. Before the game, he asked Abe Saperstein
, coach of the Globetrotters, if he could pull two stunts: one where he would replace a basketball with a deflated ball after a timeout so when a player tried to dribble it, it wouldn't bounce, and the other to tie fishing line around a ball so he could pull it back after faking shooting a free throw. Saperstein said no; but the next year when the Globetrotters returned to Hawaii, they used those both tricks as part of their showtime repertoire. "I originated that, I take credit for that," Goo said.
Press Maravich
, father of basketball great Pete Maravich
and a future college coach, was stationed in Hawaii during World War II
and saw Goo perform his tricks with a basketball. The elder Maravich told Goo that if he ever had a son he was going to teach him all the tricks he saw Goo perform. His eventual son, "Pistol" Pete Maravich, was renowned for his ball-handling and passing skills and became the highest scoring player in college basketball
history. Maravich called Goo "the best ball-handler I've ever seen."
Goo coached the University of Hawaii men’s basketball team from 1954–57, compiling a
31-46 (.402 winning percentage) record over three seasons.
He later served at boxing matches, where he was the official knockdown timer.
The University of Hawaii women’s basketball team designates a player each season as the recipient of the Ah Chew Goo Achievement Award, the program's most prestigious individual award, which is given to the player who attains basketball excellence through dedication, determination and perseverance. The Hawaii men’s team awards the Ah Chew Good Most Inspirational Player Award each season.
Goo is a member of the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame. He is married to Clara Kim Goo.
University of Hawaii
The University of Hawaii System, formally the University of Hawaii and popularly known as UH, is a public, co-educational college and university system that confers associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees through three university campuses, seven community college campuses, an employment...
men’s basketball team, who is known primarily for his basketball dribbling and passing abilities.
Goo, who stands only 5-foot-4 ½ inches, is known for his remarkable ability to dribble the ball and keep it away from defenders and for his no-look and seemingly gravity-defying passes.
He started working on his basketball skills at age 7, practicing his passing off of telephone poles as he walked down the street. As a result, he became one of Hawaii’s most famous basketball players, leading Hilo High School
Hilo High School
Hilo High School is a public, co-educational high school of the Hawaii State Department of Education, and serves grades nine through twelve. Established in 1906, its first class graduated in 1909. Hilo High School is near the Wailuku River in Hawaii County on the Big Island of Hawaii. The campus...
to three straight Territorial championships between 1934-36. After high school, Goo played with a traveling team of Hawaiian all-stars in the United States. He retired from competitive basketball in 1940, due to ill health, and never played in college or professionally.
In his mid-1940s, Goo coached a local team in a game against the Harlem Globetrotters
Harlem Globetrotters
The Harlem Globetrotters are an exhibition basketball team that combines athleticism, theater and comedy. The executive offices for the team are currently in downtown Phoenix, Arizona; the team is owned by Shamrock Holdings, which oversees the various investments of the Roy E. Disney family.Over...
. Before the game, he asked Abe Saperstein
Abe Saperstein
Abraham M. Saperstein was an owner and coach of the Savoy Big Five, which later became the Harlem Globetrotters...
, coach of the Globetrotters, if he could pull two stunts: one where he would replace a basketball with a deflated ball after a timeout so when a player tried to dribble it, it wouldn't bounce, and the other to tie fishing line around a ball so he could pull it back after faking shooting a free throw. Saperstein said no; but the next year when the Globetrotters returned to Hawaii, they used those both tricks as part of their showtime repertoire. "I originated that, I take credit for that," Goo said.
Press Maravich
Press Maravich
Petar "Press" Maravich was an American college and professional basketball coach. He received the nickname "Press" for always having gossip-styled updates in his hometown of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, a Pittsburgh suburb. Maravich Sr...
, father of basketball great Pete Maravich
Pete Maravich
Peter "Pistol Pete" Press Maravich was an American professional basketball player. Born and raised in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Maravich starred in college at Louisiana State University and played for three NBA teams until injuries induced him to retire in 1980...
and a future college coach, was stationed in Hawaii during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and saw Goo perform his tricks with a basketball. The elder Maravich told Goo that if he ever had a son he was going to teach him all the tricks he saw Goo perform. His eventual son, "Pistol" Pete Maravich, was renowned for his ball-handling and passing skills and became the highest scoring player in college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
history. Maravich called Goo "the best ball-handler I've ever seen."
Goo coached the University of Hawaii men’s basketball team from 1954–57, compiling a
31-46 (.402 winning percentage) record over three seasons.
He later served at boxing matches, where he was the official knockdown timer.
The University of Hawaii women’s basketball team designates a player each season as the recipient of the Ah Chew Goo Achievement Award, the program's most prestigious individual award, which is given to the player who attains basketball excellence through dedication, determination and perseverance. The Hawaii men’s team awards the Ah Chew Good Most Inspirational Player Award each season.
Goo is a member of the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame. He is married to Clara Kim Goo.