John Azary
Encyclopedia
John Azary was an American
standout basketball player for Columbia College
(now Columbia University) between 1948–49 and 1950–51. He was also in the military and served in the Korean War
.
Azary was born and raised in New York City
. At , he played the guard position, and when deciding on where to attend college, he chose to stay in the city to attend Columbia. At the time, college freshmen were not eligible to play varsity sports, so Azary's career actually began when he was a sophomore
in 1948–49. In his first season he scored 298 points in 20 games, which gave him a new school record for a first season scoring average at 14.9 points per game. This average surpassed Walt Budko
's mark, who had graduated just prior to Azary's first year.
Despite being undersized, Azary was routinely given the top defensive assignments against much taller players. He even played against centers
and used his aggressiveness and hustle to outplay them. His head coach, Gordon Ridings
, said of Azary, "I never saw a harder worker than John. He once stayed an hour after practice taking foul shots because he had missed two out of ten free throws in the previous night’s game."
In three seasons as a Lion he scored 1,037 points. His finest season came as senior
in 1950–51. He captained
Columbia as they rolled through the regular season undefeated, won the Eastern Intercollegiate League
(modern day Ivy League) championship, and reached the Sweet 16 of the 1951 NCAA Tournament
. Azary was the recipient of the Haggerty Award
, which has been given annually since 1935–36 to the top male collegiate basketball player in the New York City area. He also capped his career with a second consecutive selection to the All-EIL First Team as well as NCAA All-American
honors by various media outlets.
After his collegiate career ended, the NBA's Boston Celtics
chose him in that year's draft
in the seventh round (66th overall). He never played in the NBA; instead, Azary served in the Korean War
. When he returned home, he played in the Eastern Professional Basketball League
.
Azary died of a heart attack on September 15, 1981, at age 51.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
standout basketball player for Columbia College
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
(now Columbia University) between 1948–49 and 1950–51. He was also in the military and served in the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
.
Azary was born and raised in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. At , he played the guard position, and when deciding on where to attend college, he chose to stay in the city to attend Columbia. At the time, college freshmen were not eligible to play varsity sports, so Azary's career actually began when he was a sophomore
Sophomore
Sophomore is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the second year of study at high school or university.The word is also used as a synonym for "second", for the second album or EP released by a musician or group, the second movie of a director, or the second season of a...
in 1948–49. In his first season he scored 298 points in 20 games, which gave him a new school record for a first season scoring average at 14.9 points per game. This average surpassed Walt Budko
Walt Budko
Walter "Walt" Budko Jr. is a retired American basketball player.He played collegiately for Columbia University.He was selected by the Baltimore Bullets in the 1st round of the 1948 BAA Draft....
's mark, who had graduated just prior to Azary's first year.
Despite being undersized, Azary was routinely given the top defensive assignments against much taller players. He even played against centers
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...
and used his aggressiveness and hustle to outplay them. His head coach, Gordon Ridings
Gordon Ridings
Gordon Ridings was an American college men's basketball coach. He served as head coach at Columbia University from 1946 until 1951 when he suffered a heart attack before the season started, handing over coaching duties to Lou Rossini. Ridings graduated of University of Oregon in 1929, where he was...
, said of Azary, "I never saw a harder worker than John. He once stayed an hour after practice taking foul shots because he had missed two out of ten free throws in the previous night’s game."
In three seasons as a Lion he scored 1,037 points. His finest season came as senior
Senior (education)
Senior is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the 4th year of study .-High school:...
in 1950–51. He captained
Captain (sports)
In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field...
Columbia as they rolled through the regular season undefeated, won the Eastern Intercollegiate League
Ivy League
The Ivy League is an athletic conference comprising eight private institutions of higher education in the Northeastern United States. The conference name is also commonly used to refer to those eight schools as a group...
(modern day Ivy League) championship, and reached the Sweet 16 of the 1951 NCAA Tournament
1951 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1951 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 16 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 20, 1951, and ended with the championship game on March 27 at Williams Arena in Minneapolis,...
. Azary was 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...
, which has been given annually since 1935–36 to the top male collegiate basketball player in the New York City area. He also capped his career with a second consecutive selection to the All-EIL First Team as well as NCAA All-American
1951 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans
The Consensus 1951 College Basketball All-American team, as determined by aggregating the results of five major All-American teams. To earn "consensus" status, a player must win honors from a majority of the following teams: the Associated Press, Look Magazine, The United Press International,...
honors by various media outlets.
After his collegiate career ended, 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...
chose him in that year's draft
1951 NBA Draft
The 1951 NBA Draft was the fifth annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on April 25, 1951 before the 1951–52 season. In this draft, ten remaining NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players. In each round, the teams select in reverse...
in the seventh round (66th overall). He never played in the NBA; instead, Azary served in the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. When he returned home, he played in the Eastern Professional Basketball League
Continental Basketball Association
The Continental Basketball Association was a professional men's basketball league in the United States, which has been on hiatus since the 2009 season.- History :...
.
Azary died of a heart attack on September 15, 1981, at age 51.