Jim Cunningham (basketball)
Encyclopedia
James W. "Jim" Cunningham (1935 – December 17, 1991) was an American
standout basketball player at Fordham University
in the 1950s.
A native of Buffalo, New York
, Cunningham starred in both football
and basketball at Canisius High School
from 1950 to 1954. He enrolled at Fordham where he played for head coach Johnny Bach between 1955 and 1958 because college freshmen were ineligible to play varsity sports during this era. Standing and weighing 190 lbs. (86 kg), Cunningham played the shooting guard
position. In just three varsity seasons he scored a then-school record 1,744 points. In his senior
season of 1957–58, Cunningham led the Rams to a berth in the National Invitation Tournament
, where they advanced to the quarterfinals before losing to Dayton
. Upon the conclusion of the season he was named an All-American
as well as the recipient of the Haggerty Award
. The Haggerty Award is presented to the best male collegiate basketball player in the greater New York city area every year since 1935–36, and Cunningham was only Fordham's second-ever recipient. For his career at Fordham, he averaged 22.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game in 76 games played.
The NBA's Boston Celtics
selected Cunningham in the 1958 NBA Draft
. He was taken in the third round (23rd overall) but ultimately never played in the league. In his later life he coached high school basketball.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
standout basketball player at Fordham University
Fordham University
Fordham University is a private, nonprofit, coeducational research university in the United States, with three campuses in and around New York City. It was founded by the Roman Catholic Diocese of New York in 1841 as St...
in the 1950s.
A native of Buffalo, New York
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
, Cunningham starred in both football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
and basketball at Canisius High School
Canisius High School
Canisius High School is a Roman Catholic Jesuit private high school for young men. Canisius located at 1180 Delaware Avenue in Buffalo, New York, United States, just north of the Delaware Avenue Historic District. Founded in 1870, the school has historical ties to Canisius College...
from 1950 to 1954. He enrolled at Fordham where he played for head coach Johnny Bach between 1955 and 1958 because college freshmen were ineligible to play varsity sports during this era. Standing and weighing 190 lbs. (86 kg), Cunningham played the shooting guard
Shooting guard
The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team...
position. In just three varsity seasons he scored a then-school record 1,744 points. In his senior
Senior (education)
Senior is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the 4th year of study .-High school:...
season of 1957–58, Cunningham led the Rams to a berth in the National Invitation Tournament
1958 National Invitation Tournament
The 1958 National Invitation Tournament was the 1958 edition of the annual NCAA college basketball competition.-Selected teams:Below is a list of the 12 teams selected for the tournament.-Brackets/Results:Below is the tournament bracket....
, where they advanced to the quarterfinals before losing to Dayton
Dayton Flyers men's basketball
The Dayton Flyers men's basketball team is a college basketball program that competes in NCAA Division I and the Atlantic Ten Conference representing the University of Dayton. They are known for a rivalry with Xavier University, playing for the Blackburn/McCafferty Trophy each year.-History:The...
. Upon the conclusion of the season he was named an All-American
NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans
The NCAA Men's Basketball All-American teams are honorary teams made up of those NCAA basketball players voted the best in the country by a variety of organizations.-History:...
as well as the recipient of the Haggerty Award
Haggerty Award
The Haggerty Award is given to the All-Metropolitan New York Division I men's college basketball player of the year, presented by the National Invitation Tournament and the Met Basketball Writers Association...
. The Haggerty Award is presented to the best male collegiate basketball player in the greater New York city area every year since 1935–36, and Cunningham was only Fordham's second-ever recipient. For his career at Fordham, he averaged 22.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game in 76 games played.
The NBA's Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
selected Cunningham in the 1958 NBA Draft
1958 NBA Draft
The 1958 NBA Draft was the 12th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on April 22, 1958 before the 1958–59 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...
. He was taken in the third round (23rd overall) but ultimately never played in the league. In his later life he coached high school basketball.