Ben Auerbach
Encyclopedia
Benjamin "Ben" Auerbach was an early American
professional basketball player in the American Basketball League. He had a standout college career for New York University
, and, despite the shared surname
, Ben Auerbach is not related to the Hall of Fame coach Red Auerbach
.
and enrolled at NYU in the fall of 1937. Playing the guard, he was forced to abstain from playing on the school's varsity team as a freshman
because it was not permitted during that era of college basketball. When he became eligible in 1938–39 as a sophomore
, it was the first of three seasons he was a full-time starter. He scored 147 points in his first year, one in which the NYU Violets finished with an 11–11 record. This scoring total placed him ninth in the New York City metropolitan area. As the premier player on the team, Auerbach specialized in defending the opponents' top scorers, and once he even had to play center
in a game against Notre Dame
.
As a junior
in 1939–40, Auerbach helped guide NYU to an 18–0 season record before losing their final game to rival City College of New York
(CCNY). He had a personally successful season as well and was named First Team All-Met. Auerbach was honored with the coveted Haggerty Award
, given annually since 1935–36 to the best male collegiate basketball player in the greater New York City area. The Violets did not participate in any postseason tournaments despite their record. The school, citing exhaustion on behalf of the players, declined all invitations. The following year, the team finished with a 13–6 record with Auerbach being the captain
. He was declared ineligible for the final two games of the year (and consequently, his collegiate career), but still finished in the top 25 for scoring in the metropolitan area.
He has since been inducted into the NYU Athletics Hall of Fame.
, but he only played in three games for them toward the end of the 1941 season. He then missed all of the 1941–42 season before joining the Harrisburg Senators
the following year. Due to World War II
, the league only had five total teams. Auerbach only played in one game for the Senators.
He joined the Wilmington Bombers
the next season (1943–44) as they won the ABL championship, four games to three in a best-of-seven finals, over the Philadelphia Sphas
. He played in 20 games and averaged 3.3 points per contest. Wilmington would only finish with a 14–14 record the next year, but Auerbach played in all 28 of their games.
He spent two more seasons in the league playing for Paterson Crescents
, but in neither season did the Crescents qualify for the playoffs. By the time he retired professional basketball, Auerbach had played for four teams:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball player in the American Basketball League. He had a standout college career for 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...
, and, despite the shared surname
Surname
A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"...
, Ben Auerbach is not related to the Hall of Fame coach Red Auerbach
Red Auerbach
Arnold Jacob "Red" Auerbach was an American basketball coach of the Washington Capitols, the Tri-Cities Blackhawks and the Boston Celtics. After he retired from coaching, he served as president and front office executive of the Celtics until his death...
.
College
Auerbach grew up in New York CityNew 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...
and enrolled at NYU in the fall of 1937. Playing the guard, he was forced to abstain from playing on the school's varsity team as a freshman
Freshman
A freshman or fresher is a first-year student in secondary school, high school, or college. The term first year can also be used as a noun, to describe the students themselves A freshman (US) or fresher (UK, India) (or sometimes fish, freshie, fresher; slang plural frosh or freshmeat) is a...
because it was not permitted during that era of college basketball. When he became eligible in 1938–39 as 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...
, it was the first of three seasons he was a full-time starter. He scored 147 points in his first year, one in which the NYU Violets finished with an 11–11 record. This scoring total placed him ninth in the New York City metropolitan area. As the premier player on the team, Auerbach specialized in defending the opponents' top scorers, and once he even had to play center
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...
in a game against Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana, United States. The program competes in the Big East Conference of NCAA Division I. The school holds two national championships in...
.
As a junior
Junior (education)
"Junior" is a term used in the United States to describe a student in their 3rd year of study . A Junior is considered an upperclassman...
in 1939–40, Auerbach helped guide NYU to an 18–0 season record before losing their final game to rival 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...
(CCNY). He had a personally successful season as well and was named First Team All-Met. Auerbach was honored with the coveted 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...
, given annually since 1935–36 to the best male collegiate basketball player in the greater New York City area. The Violets did not participate in any postseason tournaments despite their record. The school, citing exhaustion on behalf of the players, declined all invitations. The following year, the team finished with a 13–6 record with Auerbach being the captain
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...
. He was declared ineligible for the final two games of the year (and consequently, his collegiate career), but still finished in the top 25 for scoring in the metropolitan area.
He has since been inducted into the NYU Athletics Hall of Fame.
Professional
After college, Auerbach played in the American Basketball League, which was semi-professional and considered the top league in the East. His first team was the Brooklyn CelticsBrooklyn Celtics
The Brooklyn Celtics were an American basketball team based in Brooklyn, New York that was a member of the American Basketball League.During the first half of the 1940/41 season, the Troy Celtics moved to Brooklyn to become the Brooklyn Celtics....
, but he only played in three games for them toward the end of the 1941 season. He then missed all of the 1941–42 season before joining the Harrisburg Senators
Harrisburg Senators
The Harrisburg Senators are a minor league baseball team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals....
the following year. Due to World War II
World 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...
, the league only had five total teams. Auerbach only played in one game for the Senators.
He joined the Wilmington Bombers
Wilmington Bombers
-Wilmington Blue Bombers:The Wilmington Blue Bombers were an American basketball team based in Wilmington, Delaware that was a member of the American Basketball League.-Year-by-year:-Wilmington Bombers:...
the next season (1943–44) as they won the ABL championship, four games to three in a best-of-seven finals, over 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...
. He played in 20 games and averaged 3.3 points per contest. Wilmington would only finish with a 14–14 record the next year, but Auerbach played in all 28 of their games.
He spent two more seasons in the league playing for Paterson Crescents
Paterson Crescents
The Paterson Whirlwinds were an American basketball team based in Paterson, New Jersey that was a member of the American Basketball League.After their first season, the team became known as the Paterson Crescents...
, but in neither season did the Crescents qualify for the playoffs. By the time he retired professional basketball, Auerbach had played for four teams:
- Brooklyn Celtics (1941)
- Harrisburg Senators (1943)
- Wilmington Bombers (1943–45)
- Paterson Crescents (1945–47)