Ben Kramer
Encyclopedia
Ben "Red" Kramer was an American
standout basketball player for Long Island University
(LIU) during the 1930s, a time in which LIU was a national power. Kramer played for Hall of Fame coach Clair Bee
from 1933–34 to 1936–37, and in his four seasons the team finished with records of 26–1, 24–2, 26–0, and 29–3, respectively. At one point Long Island had a 43-game win streak, which was snapped by Stanford
and their star player Hank Luisetti
.
(NIT) nor the NCAA Tournament
existed yet. The following season, Kramer's last in college, he was named the Haggerty Award
winner which is given annually to the best men's basketball player in the New York City metropolitan area. At the time, it was the second year in the award's existence, and teammate Jules Bender
had won it the year before.
, then spent the next three seasons with the Washington Heurich Brewers. Kramer was the league's fifth-leading scorer all three of those seasons while averaging 4.2 points per game. After his time with the Brewers, he played five more seasons of professional basketball. In 1945–46, his best season, he played for the Wilmington Bombers
and appeared in 15 games. The Bombers finished third in the league with a 14–14 record but lost in the playoffs. Kramer's final season came in 1946–47 while playing for the Troy Celtics
, although he appeared in only three games.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
standout basketball player for Long Island University
Long Island University
Long Island University is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian institution of higher education in the U.S. state of New York.-History:...
(LIU) during the 1930s, a time in which LIU was a national power. Kramer played for Hall of Fame coach Clair Bee
Clair Bee
Clair Francis Bee was an American basketball coach, who led the team at Long Island University in Brooklyn, New York to undefeated seasons in 1936 and 1939, as well as two National Invitation Tournament titles...
from 1933–34 to 1936–37, and in his four seasons the team finished with records of 26–1, 24–2, 26–0, and 29–3, respectively. At one point Long Island had a 43-game win streak, which was snapped by Stanford
Stanford Cardinal men's basketball
The Stanford Cardinal Men's Basketball team represents Stanford University, located in Stanford, California, United States. The school's team currently competes in the Pacific-12 Conference. The team has won 13 conference championships , the last in 2004, and one NCAA championship, in 1942...
and their star player Hank Luisetti
Hank Luisetti
Angelo "Hank" Luisetti was an American college men's basketball player and one of the great innovators of the game. In an era that featured the traditional two-handed set shot, Luisetti developed the running one-handed shot...
.
College
Kramer, a , 200 lb. (91 kg) forward/guard, helped Long Island gain respect both in the New York City metropolitan area as well as in the national scene. Most schools during this era did not allow freshmen to play varsity sports in college—although there was no set rule against it—but Clair Bee did, which allowed Kramer and LIU to remain dominant. In 1935–36, the Blackbirds finished undefeated at 26–0 and were named mythical "Eastern champions" since neither the National Invitation TournamentNational 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...
(NIT) nor the NCAA Tournament
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
existed yet. The following season, Kramer's last in college, he was named the 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...
winner which is given annually to the best men's basketball player in the New York City metropolitan area. At the time, it was the second year in the award's existence, and teammate Jules Bender
Jules Bender
Jules Bender was an American collegiate and professional basketball player. He was an All-American at Long Island University, leading the Blackbirds to a 103-6 record over his career....
had won it the year before.
Professional
After college, Kramer played in the first major professional basketball league, the American Basketball League. In 1938–39 he played for the Kingston ColonialsKingston Colonials
The Kingston Colonials were an American basketball team based in Kingston, New Jersey that was a member of the American Basketball League.During the 1939/40 season, the team was merged into the Troy Celtics on December 19, 1939.-Year-by-year:...
, then spent the next three seasons with the Washington Heurich Brewers. Kramer was the league's fifth-leading scorer all three of those seasons while averaging 4.2 points per game. After his time with the Brewers, he played five more seasons of professional basketball. In 1945–46, his best season, he played for 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:...
and appeared in 15 games. The Bombers finished third in the league with a 14–14 record but lost in the playoffs. Kramer's final season came in 1946–47 while playing for the Troy Celtics
Troy Celtics
-Troy Haymakers/Celtics:The Troy Haymakers were an American basketball team based in Troy, New York that was a member of the American Basketball League....
, although he appeared in only three games.