Opinion | When Jews Ruled the Basketball Court

A facts-only brief, written by a local AI model from this article in The Wall Street Journal, October 30, 2026. It may contain mistakes, and it is not the article: the full story is at wsj.com.

An opinion essay argues that the NBA owes significant recognition to the Jewish players, coaches, and entrepreneurs who helped establish professional basketball in the mid-20th century. The writer contends that while the sport’s origins are often overlooked, Jewish pioneers were instrumental in its early development and success. This perspective rests on the historical dominance of Jewish athletes in college and professional leagues before the 1950s. The piece highlights specific figures who shaped the league’s structure and culture during its formative years.

Background

• Ossie Schectman scored the first basket in NBA history on November 1, 1946, during a game between the New York Knicks and the Toronto Huskies.
• Eddie Gottlieb, a Jewish immigrant, helped found the Basketball Association of America in 1946 and coached the Philadelphia Warriors to the league’s first championship in 1947.
• The Basketball Association of America merged with the National Basketball League in 1949 to form the NBA, with Maurice Podoloff serving as the league’s first president.
• Red Auerbach coached the Boston Celtics to nine championships between 1957 and 1966, while Dolph Schayes led the Syracuse Nationals to the 1955 title.

Read the full article at wsj.com

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