Don Rehfeldt
Encyclopedia
Don Rehfeldt was a graduate of Amundsen High School
in Chicago, Illinois and went on to become a two time Big Ten (then Western Conference) leading scorer in 1949 and 1950 and the Big Ten MVP in 1950 at Wisconsin
. He was also a First Team All-America
n in 1950. Don is a charter member of the University of Wisconsin–Madison Athletic Hall of Fame, elected in 1991. He was most noted for his hook shot
.
Upon graduation in 1950, Rehfeldt was the Badger all time leading scorer and held 14 other individual records. He held the Badger record as its last All-American for 56 years until Alando Tucker was named a First Team All-American in 2007. Rehfeldt was the second overall pick in the 1950 NBA Draft
by the Baltimore Bullets. After graduation he also played in the "World Series of Basketball" which was a nationwide tour that pitted the College All-Americans against the Harlem Globetrotters
. Don was the leading scorer on that tour with other notable including top 50 all time NBA players Paul Arizin and Bob Cousy
.
Don was also an avid bridge player and achieved the rank of Life Master along with his wife, Joyce. He also served almost 16 years on the Board of Education of his adopted home town, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
. He died from cancer on October 16, 1980.
Amundsen High School
Roald Amundsen High School, is a public high school located at the corner of Damen and Foster Avenue in Chicago, Illinois in the United States. It is a part of Chicago Public Schools and has approximately 1,600 students, though its building was designed to house 1,300. It is a neighborhood high...
in Chicago, Illinois and went on to become a two time Big Ten (then Western Conference) leading scorer in 1949 and 1950 and the Big Ten MVP in 1950 at Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
. He was also a First Team All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n in 1950. Don is a charter member of the University of Wisconsin–Madison Athletic Hall of Fame, elected in 1991. He was most noted for his hook shot
Hook shot
A hook shot, in basketball, is a play in which the offensive player, usually turned perpendicular to the basket, gently throws the ball with a sweeping motion of his arm in an upward arc with a follow-through which ends over his head. Unlike the jump shot, it is shot with only one hand; the other...
.
Upon graduation in 1950, Rehfeldt was the Badger all time leading scorer and held 14 other individual records. He held the Badger record as its last All-American for 56 years until Alando Tucker was named a First Team All-American in 2007. Rehfeldt was the second overall pick in the 1950 NBA Draft
1950 NBA Draft
The 1950 NBA Draft was the fourth annual draft of the National Basketball Association . This is the first draft after the Basketball Association of America was renamed the NBA. The draft was held on April 25, 1950 before the 1950–51 season. In this draft, 12 remaining NBA teams took turns...
by the Baltimore Bullets. After graduation he also played in the "World Series of Basketball" which was a nationwide tour that pitted the College All-Americans 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...
. Don was the leading scorer on that tour with other notable including top 50 all time NBA players Paul Arizin and Bob Cousy
Bob Cousy
Robert Joseph "Bob" Cousy is a retired American professional basketball player. The 6'1" , 175-pound Cousy played point guard with the National Basketball Association's Boston Celtics from 1951 to 1963 and briefly with the Cincinnati Royals in the 1969–70 season...
.
Don was also an avid bridge player and achieved the rank of Life Master along with his wife, Joyce. He also served almost 16 years on the Board of Education of his adopted home town, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Rapids is a city in and the county seat of Wood County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 18,435 at the 2000 census.According to the 2010 census, the Wisconsin Rapids micropolitan area was home to 54,362 people...
. He died from cancer on October 16, 1980.