Jack Coleman (basketball)
Encyclopedia
Jack L. Coleman was an American
professional basketball
player.
A 6 ft 7 in forward/center
from the University of Louisville
, Coleman played nine seasons (1949–1958) in the National Basketball Association
as a member of the Rochester Royals
and St. Louis Hawks
. He tallied 6,721 points and 5,186 rebound
s in his career, and he represented Rochester in the 1955 NBA All-Star Game
. Coleman also appeared in three NBA Finals
, winning championships with Rochester in 1951 and St. Louis in 1958.
During the Hawks' losing effort in the 1957 NBA Finals
, Coleman became the unwitting victim of one of Bill Russell
's greatest defensive plays. In the final game of the series, Coleman had an opportunity to clinch the Hawks' championship with a layup
after receiving an outlet pass at midcourt. Bill Russell, who had been standing at his own baseline when the play began, ran the entire length of the floor and managed to block
Coleman's shot, preserving the victory for the Celtics. Celtics announcer Johnny Most
screamed, “Blocked by Russell! Blocked by Russell! He came from nowhere!” The play has since gone down in history as the "Coleman Play."
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.
A 6 ft 7 in forward/center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
from the University of Louisville
University of Louisville
The University of Louisville is a public university in Louisville, Kentucky. When founded in 1798, it was the first city-owned public university in the United States and one of the first universities chartered west of the Allegheny Mountains. The university is mandated by the Kentucky General...
, Coleman played nine seasons (1949–1958) in the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
as a member of the Rochester Royals
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
and St. Louis 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:...
. He tallied 6,721 points and 5,186 rebound
Rebound (basketball)
A rebound in basketball is the act of successfully gaining possession of the basketball after a missed field goal or free throw. Rebounds in basketball are a routine part in the game, as all possessions change after a shot is successfully made...
s in his career, and he represented Rochester in the 1955 NBA All-Star Game
1955 NBA All-Star Game
The 1955 NBA All Star Game was the fifth NBA All-Star Game.-Eastern Conference:Head Coach: Al Cervi, Syracuse Nationals-Western Conference:Head Coach: Charley Eckman, Fort Wayne Pistons...
. Coleman also appeared in three NBA Finals
NBA Finals
The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association . The series was named the NBA World Championship Series until 1986....
, winning championships with Rochester in 1951 and St. Louis in 1958.
During the Hawks' losing effort in the 1957 NBA Finals
1957 NBA Finals
The 1957 NBA Finals was the championship series of the 1956-57 National Basketball Association season, and was the conclusion of the 1957 NBA Playoffs. The best-of-seven series was played between the Western Conference champion St. Louis Hawks and the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics....
, Coleman became the unwitting victim of one of Bill Russell
Bill Russell
William Felton "Bill" Russell is a retired American professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association...
's greatest defensive plays. In the final game of the series, Coleman had an opportunity to clinch the Hawks' championship with a layup
Layup
A layup in basketball is a two-point shot attempt made by leaping from below, laying the ball up near the basket, and using one hand to bounce it off the backboard and into the basket. The motion and one-handed reach distinguish it from a jump shot. The layup is considered the most basic shot in...
after receiving an outlet pass at midcourt. Bill Russell, who had been standing at his own baseline when the play began, ran the entire length of the floor and managed to block
Block (basketball)
In basketball, a block , not to be confused with blocking, occurs when a defensive player legally deflects a field goal attempt from an offensive player. The defender must not touch the offensive player's hands or otherwise a foul is called. In order to be legal, the block must occur while the shot...
Coleman's shot, preserving the victory for the Celtics. Celtics announcer Johnny Most
Johnny Most
John M. "Johnny" Most was an American sports announcer, known primarily as the raspy radio voice of the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association from 1953 to 1990....
screamed, “Blocked by Russell! Blocked by Russell! He came from nowhere!” The play has since gone down in history as the "Coleman Play."