Nat Holman
Encyclopedia
Nat Holman was one of the early pro basketball
players and one of the game's most important innovators.
.
He was also an important part of the Original Celtics
(no relation to the Boston Celtics). Also a gifted passer and excellent floor leader, Holman has been a prototype to later playmakers.
Although he played pro basketball until 1930, he took over the head coaching position at the City College of New York
in 1920. Known as Mr. Basketball, Holman guided CCNY to the so-called grand slam of college basketball, winning both the NCAA
and NIT
titles in 1950, a feat that has never been achieved since. Holman compiled a 421–190 record in 37 seasons at CCNY, retiring in 1960.
Holman also founded Camp Scatico
in 1921 and ran the camp until he sold it to his niece and her husband in 1964.
In his later years, he lived and died at the Hebrew Home for the Aged in the Riverdale section of the Bronx.
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...
players and one of the game's most important innovators.
Career
Known for his exceptional ball-handling and his accurate shooting, Holman was a star player at New York UniversityNew York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
.
He was also an important part of the Original Celtics
Original Celtics
The Original Celtics were a barnstorming professional basketball team in the 1920s. There is no relation to the modern Boston Celtics. The Original Celtics are often credited with extending the reach of basketball across America and for establishing the importance of aggressive defensive play...
(no relation to the Boston Celtics). Also a gifted passer and excellent floor leader, Holman has been a prototype to later playmakers.
Although he played pro basketball until 1930, he took over the head coaching position at the City College of New York
City College of New York
The City College of the City University of New York is a senior college of the City University of New York , in New York City. It is also the oldest of the City University's twenty-three institutions of higher learning...
in 1920. Known as Mr. Basketball, Holman guided CCNY to the so-called grand slam of college basketball, winning both the NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
and NIT
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
titles in 1950, a feat that has never been achieved since. Holman compiled a 421–190 record in 37 seasons at CCNY, retiring in 1960.
Holman also founded Camp Scatico
Camp Scatico
Camp Scatico is a brother-sister sleep-away camp for boys and girls located in the upper Hudson Valley of New York State, in Columbia County.-History:Camp Scatico has been in operation since 1921. It was founded by Nat Holman of the Original Celtics...
in 1921 and ran the camp until he sold it to his niece and her husband in 1964.
In his later years, he lived and died at the Hebrew Home for the Aged in the Riverdale section of the Bronx.