Bobby Wanzer, American basketball player and coach, Died at 94

  Sports

Robert Francis “Bobby” Wanzer, also known as “Hooks” Wanzer was born on June 4, 1921, and died on January 23, 2016.

He was an American basketball player and coach.

He was a 6’0″ guard, Wanzer played collegiately at Seton Hall University.

While he was at Seton Hall, a score of 16-2 recorded as a sophomore, Wanzer enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Robert made the All-Pacific Armed Forces all-star basketball team, and he participated in the occupation of Guam.

Mr.Wanzer was elected by the Rochester Royals in 1947.

The Royals star, Bob Davies was a Seton Hall coach and steered the star guard to the NBL contender.

Initially a reserve behind Al Cervi and Red Holzman, Wanzer later teamed with Davies to form a potent backcourt for the day.

The Royals were very fortunate from 1947-1954, and their smaller stars, like Wanzer, were considered their biggest assets.

Along with Wanzer, Rochester had won the 1950-51 National Basketball Association (NBA) title.

Bobby Wanzer played his entire career with the Royals, retiring from playing after the end of the 1957 season.

Booby was a five-time All-Star with the Royals, and in the 1951-52 season, Wanzer became the first player to ever shoot over 90% from the free throw line in a season.

Bobby Wanzer was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987.

Mr.Wanzer also coach the Royals.

The baseball coach was a player-coach for two years, and then (after the franchise moved to Cincinnati, Ohio) coached for another season.

Bobby Wanzer 1957-58 Cincinnati Royals were an NBA contender, but injuries stopped him from playing.

When star Maurice Stokes was enduringly injured, he moved on early the following NBA season.

After he coached St. John Fisher College in Pittsford, New York.

On August 17, 2007, Bobby Wanzer was inducted into the United States Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame.

Bobby Wanzer passed away at 94 yrs old.