Ralph Kaplowitz
Encyclopedia
Ralph Kaplowitz was an American
basketball player. Kaplowitz played in the first two seasons of the Basketball Association of America
(BAA), now known as the National Basketball Association
(NBA), and was at the time of his death the oldest living person to have played for the New York Knicks
.
and led his team to a PSAL
championship. After graduating from Clinton, he attended New York University
. He joined NYU's varsity team as a sophomore in 1939-40, was the team's second-leading scorer with 183 points, and was named to the Collier's Magazine All-America first team. In his junior year, Kaplowitz did lead NYU in scoring, and to a winning record of 13-6. At the start of his senior year he was named team captain, but was drafted into the U.S. Army as an aviation cadet. After his basketball career, Ralph went on to thrive in other athletics. He is noted as winning multiple club championships at Old Westbury Golf and Country Club.
, Kaplowitz was released from the Army, and he returned to NYU to finish his degree in education. After that, he signed with the Philadelphia Sphas
(South Philadelphia Hebrew Association) of the American Basketball League, and averaged 10.6 points per game in the latter end of the 1945-46 season, facing the Baltimore Bullets in the championship round, but losing.
owner Ned Irish
which read "Interested in having you play with New York professional basketball team next season. Please telephone me." Kaplowitz did join the Knicks, signing a one-year contract for $6,500.
On November 1, 1946 in Toronto
, Canada
, the 27-year-old Kaplowitz appeared in the starting lineup of the very first game of NBA/BAA history, alongside fellow Knicks Ossie Schectman
, Sonny Hertzberg, Jake Weber, and Leo Gottlieb
. Together, they beat the Toronto Huskies
68-66.
Kaplowitz and his teammates, many of them Jews, recall an increased level of anti-Semitic heckling by fans at Madison Square Garden
as the season progressed. Halfway through the season, the Knicks traded Kaplowitz to the Philadelphia Warriors, which were then coached and owned by Eddie Gottlieb. In a 1997 interview of the team, Hertzberg said that by the end of the 1946-47 season, he was only Jewish player left on the Knicks' roster, but even he was traded during the league's first off-season break.
and the Chicago Stags
(4-1 series) to claim the first BAA championship.
In the 1947-48 season, the Warriors advanced to the Finals again, but Kaplowitz was once again beaten by Baltimore, in the Bullets' first season as a BAA team. After losing this series, Kaplowitz retired from the BAA after only two seasons, returning once again to the ABL, where he would play two seasons for the Hartford Hurricanes
and one for the Bridgeport Roesslers
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
basketball player. Kaplowitz played in the first two seasons of the Basketball Association of America
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...
(BAA), now known as 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...
(NBA), and was at the time of his death the oldest living person to have played for the New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
.
Background
Kaplowitz attended DeWitt Clinton High SchoolDeWitt Clinton High School
DeWitt Clinton High School is an American high school located in the Bronx, New York City, New York.-History:Clinton opened in 1897 at 60 West 13th Street at the northern end of Greenwich Village under the name of Boys High School, although this Boys High School was not related to the one in Brooklyn...
and led his team to a PSAL
PSAL
The Public Schools Athletic League, known by the acronym PSAL, is an organization that promotes student athletics in the public schools of New York City. It was founded in 1903 to provide and maintain a sports program for students enrolled in New York City public schools. The PSAL serves both boys...
championship. After graduating from Clinton, he attended New York University
New 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 joined NYU's varsity team as a sophomore in 1939-40, was the team's second-leading scorer with 183 points, and was named to the Collier's Magazine All-America first team. In his junior year, Kaplowitz did lead NYU in scoring, and to a winning record of 13-6. At the start of his senior year he was named team captain, but was drafted into the U.S. Army as an aviation cadet. After his basketball career, Ralph went on to thrive in other athletics. He is noted as winning multiple club championships at Old Westbury Golf and Country Club.
Philadelphia Sphas
After the end of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Kaplowitz was released from the Army, and he returned to NYU to finish his degree in education. After that, he signed with the Philadelphia Sphas
Philadelphia Sphas
The Philadelphia Sphas, also written SPHAs and SPHAS, were a team that competed in the Eastern Basketball League and then the American Basketball League 1925-55. They played their home games in social halls and, from 1938, in the ballroom of the Broadwood Hotel...
(South Philadelphia Hebrew Association) of the American Basketball League, and averaged 10.6 points per game in the latter end of the 1945-46 season, facing the Baltimore Bullets in the championship round, but losing.
New York Knicks
In August 1946, Kaplowitz received a telegram from the New York KnicksNew York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
owner Ned Irish
Ned Irish
Edward S. "Ned" Irish was a basketball promoter and one of the key figures in popularizing professional basketball. He was the president of the New York Knicks from 1946 to 1974...
which read "Interested in having you play with New York professional basketball team next season. Please telephone me." Kaplowitz did join the Knicks, signing a one-year contract for $6,500.
On November 1, 1946 in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, the 27-year-old Kaplowitz appeared in the starting lineup of the very first game of NBA/BAA history, alongside fellow Knicks Ossie Schectman
Ossie Schectman
Oscar B. "Ossie" Schectman is a retired American professional basketball player. He is credited with having scored the very first basket in the National Basketball Association , at that time the Basketball Association of America....
, Sonny Hertzberg, Jake Weber, and Leo Gottlieb
Leo Gottlieb
-Early and personal life:Gottlieb, who was Jewish, was born in New York City, New York. He attended DeWitt Clinton High School in The Bronx, New York.Gottlieb was the uncle of Ron Rothstein, the first coach of the Miami Heat.-Basketball career:...
. Together, they beat the Toronto Huskies
Toronto Huskies
The Toronto Huskies were a team in the Basketball Association of America during the 1946–47 season, based in Toronto, Ontario...
68-66.
Kaplowitz and his teammates, many of them Jews, recall an increased level of anti-Semitic heckling by fans at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
as the season progressed. Halfway through the season, the Knicks traded Kaplowitz to the Philadelphia Warriors, which were then coached and owned by Eddie Gottlieb. In a 1997 interview of the team, Hertzberg said that by the end of the 1946-47 season, he was only Jewish player left on the Knicks' roster, but even he was traded during the league's first off-season break.
Philadelphia Warriors
Kaplowitz played the second half of the 1946-47 season for the Warriors, who Kaplowitz' former team the Knicks in the playoffs, and swept that series to advance to the Finals. Then, they beat Max ZaslofskyMax Zaslofsky
Max "Slats" Zaslofsky was an American professional basketball player and coach.-Biography:Zaslofsky attended Thomas Jefferson High School in Brooklyn, and St. John's University. He was Jewish....
and the Chicago Stags
Chicago Stags
The Chicago Stags were a National Basketball Association team based in Chicago, Illinois, U.S..- Franchise history :The Chicago Stags were founded in 1946 and folded in 1950. Despite their short history, they were able to acquire the draft rights to a young Bob Cousy in a trade with the Tri-Cities...
(4-1 series) to claim the first BAA championship.
In the 1947-48 season, the Warriors advanced to the Finals again, but Kaplowitz was once again beaten by Baltimore, in the Bullets' first season as a BAA team. After losing this series, Kaplowitz retired from the BAA after only two seasons, returning once again to the ABL, where he would play two seasons for the Hartford Hurricanes
Hartford Hurricanes
The Hartford Hurricanes were an American basketball team based in Hartford, Connecticut that was a member of the American Basketball League.The team was previously known as the Elizabeth Braves who moved to Hartford during the 1947/48 season on December 19, 1947.-Year-by-year:...
and one for the Bridgeport Roesslers
Bridgeport Roesslers
The Bridgeport Newfield Steelers were an American basketball team based in Bridgeport, Connecticut that was a member of the American Basketball League. Before the 1949/50 season, the team became the Bridgeport Aer-A-Sols and for their final season was renamed the Bridgeport Roesslers.-Year-by-year:...
.