Joseph W. Graboski was an American basketball

Basketball

Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...

 player who spent 13 seasons in the NBA. He was the third player to enter the NBA without having played in college

College

A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...

: (Tony Kappen

Tony Kappen

Anthony George Kappen was an American professional basketball player.A 5'10" guard who did not attend college, Kappen played for the Boston Celtics and the Pittsburgh Ironmen during the 1946–47 BAA season. He averaged 6.5 points per game during the season on 23.8% shooting...

 and Connie Simmons

Connie Simmons

Cornelius "Connie" Leo Simmons was an American professional basketball player. He was born in Newark, New Jersey....

 being the first two prep-to-pro players). A star at Tuley High School in Chicago, Illinois, the 6'6" power forward

Power forward (basketball)

Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...

 began his professional career with the hometown 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...

, with whom he played from 1949 to 1950. He also played for the Indianapolis Olympians

Indianapolis Olympians

The Indianapolis Olympians were a National Basketball Association team based in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. They were founded in 1949 and folded in 1953. Their home arena was the Hinkle Fieldhouse.-Franchise history:...

, Philadelphia Warriors, St. Louis Hawks, and Chicago Packers, and he left the NBA in 1962 with 9,398 career points and 6,104 career rebounds

Rebound (sports)

Rebound is a term used in sports to describe the ball becoming available for possession by either opponent after an attempt to put the ball or puck into the goal has been unsuccessful...

.

External links

• Career Statistics