Bumper Tormohlen
Encyclopedia
Eugene R. "Bumper" Tormohlen (born May 12, 1937) is a retired American
professional basketball
player and coach. After a college career at the University of Tennessee
, Tormohlen was selected with the fifth pick in the second round of the 1959 NBA Draft
. However, his first years as a pro were spent with the sputtering American Basketball League
. After some time in that league, he then came to the NBA, joining the St. Louis Hawks (now the Atlanta Hawks
) in 1962. His entire NBA playing career was with the Hawks, and he retired from play in 1970.
Later, Tormohlen became an assistant coach for the Hawks, and served as an interim coach at the end of the 1975-76 season
; replacing Cotton Fitzsimmons
. The next season, the team hired Hubie Brown
as their full-time head coach.
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 and coach. After a college career at the University of Tennessee
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
, Tormohlen was selected with the fifth pick in the second round of the 1959 NBA Draft
1959 NBA Draft
The 1959 NBA Draft was the 13th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on March 31, 1959 before the 1959–60 season. In this draft, eight NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players. In each round, the teams select in reverse order of...
. However, his first years as a pro were spent with the sputtering American Basketball League
American Basketball League (1961-1963)
The American Basketball League played one full season, 1961-1962, and part of 1962-1963. The league actually folded on December 31, 1962. The ABL was the first basketball league to have a three point shot for baskets scored far away from the goal.-Formation:...
. After some time in that league, he then came to the NBA, joining the St. Louis Hawks (now the Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
) in 1962. His entire NBA playing career was with the Hawks, and he retired from play in 1970.
Later, Tormohlen became an assistant coach for the Hawks, and served as an interim coach at the end of the 1975-76 season
1975-76 NBA season
The 1975–76 NBA season was the 30th season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the Boston Celtics winning the NBA Championship, beating the Phoenix Suns 4 games to 2 in the NBA Finals.-Notable occurrences:...
; replacing Cotton Fitzsimmons
Cotton Fitzsimmons
Lowell "Cotton" Fitzsimmons was a college and NBA basketball coach. A native of Hannibal, Missouri, he attended and played basketball at Hannibal-LaGrange Junior College in Hannibal and Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas...
. The next season, the team hired Hubie Brown
Hubie Brown
Hubert Jude "Hubie" Brown is a retired American basketball coach and a current television analyst. Brown is a two-time NBA Coach of the Year, the honors being separated by 26 years...
as their full-time head coach.