Lenox Merchants were an American semi-professional basketball team based in Lenox, Massachusetts. Founded in 1949 by William "Butch" Gregory,[1] it regularly played exhibition games against NBA teams.[2] During the 1954–1955 season, the Merchants beat the soon-to-be NBA champions, the Syracuse Nationals, twice, and scored victories against the Minneapolis Lakers and the Milwaukee Hawks.[3][4]
Notable players
- Glenn Bissell
- Tom Brennan
- John Burke[5][6]
- Gerald Calabrese[7]
- Fred Diute
- George Feigenbaum
- Ray Felix[8]
- Billy Harrell[9][10]
- Bob Knight[4]
- Francis Mahoney[4]
- Al McGuire[11]
- Boris Nachamkin[12]
- Ronnie Shavlik
- Zeke Sinicola[11]
- Dick Surhoff[4]
- Skippy Whitaker
References
- ^ Derek Gentile (2 July 1998). "Lenox Merchants founder Butch Gregory has died". The Berkshire Eagle. pp. B1–B2. Retrieved 31 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Garry Brown (23 October 2021). "NBA once got a toehold in the Berkshires". The Republican. Retrieved 31 December 2022.(subscription required)
- ^ Derek Gentile (25 February 2016). "Lenox hoopsters of the '50s as good as pros — really". The Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
- ^ a b c d Garry Brown (6 March 2015). "Earl Lloyd's passing stirs memories of NBA teams losing to the Lenox Merchants". The Republican. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
- ^ Ernie Roberts (5 June 1959). "New B.U. coach faces tough task". The Boston Globe. p. 39. Retrieved 31 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ex-Merchant named coach". The Berkshire Eagle. 8 June 1959. p. 22. Retrieved 31 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Roger O'Gara (9 December 1959). "Fair or Foul". The Berkshire Eagle. p. 38. Retrieved 31 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Roger O'Gara (21 October 1954). "Ray Felix, giant center, to play for Merchants against Celtics tonight". The Berkshire Eagle. p. 14. Retrieved 31 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Harrell to be given day sunday afternoon at Armory". The Berkshire Eagle. 5 March 1954. p. 20. Retrieved 31 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Roger O'Gara (8 March 1954). "Harrell stars on his day in leading Merchants to 93-84 win over Rens". The Berkshire Eagle. p. 16. Retrieved 31 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Roger O'Gara (16 November 1955). "Fair or Foul". The Berkshire Eagle. p. 34. Retrieved 31 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Roger O'Gara (17 December 1954). "Merchants beat Milwaukee 98-86; Gregory ponders when to resume". The Berkshire Eagle. p. 16. Retrieved 31 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
This page was last edited on 26 April 2024, at 21:14