1943–44 National Basketball League (United States) season

1943–44 NBL season National Basketball League Basketball December 2, 1943 – February 29, 1944 March 3–7, 1944 (Playoffs) March 9–14, 1944 (Finals) 18-22 4 Regular season Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons Bobby McDermott (Fort Wayne) & Mel Riebe (Cleveland)Nelson Murry R. The National Basketball League: A History, 1935–1949 2009 McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers 978-0-7864-4006-1, p. 128 NBL (United States) Most Valuable Player Award Mel Riebe (Cleveland) Playoffs First semifinal Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons Cleveland Chase Brassmen Second semifinal Sheboygan Red Skins Oshkosh All-Stars Finals Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons Sheboygan Red Skins *North Side High School Gym, Fort Wayne, Indiana Sheboygan Armory, Sheboygan, Wisconsin List of National Basketball League (United States) seasons NBL 1942–43 National Basketball League (United States) season 1942–43 1944–45 National Basketball League (United States) season 1944–45 The 1943–44 NBL season was the ninth National Basketball League (NBL) season. This was the fourth and final NBL regular season to be played without divisions due to only four teams competing in the league this season (this time for the entirety of this season, with one team replacing another team for this season) following the continued struggles of World War II. The regular season began on December 2, 1943, and ran until February 29, 1944. The playoffs began on March 3, 1944, and concluded on March 14, 1944, with the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons winning the NBL Championship by three games to none over the Sheboygan Red Skins in a rematch of the previous season's championship. Only four teams competed in this season of the NBL, with the league being heavily impacted by World War II, more so than in any other season.Nelson Murry R. The National Basketball League: A History, 1935–1949 2009 McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers 978-0-7864-4006-1, p. 130 Because of the limited amount of competition for this season, for the second straight season, the NBL would have all four teams competing in their league automatically qualify for the NBL Playoffs by the end of the regular season, in spite of the poor records from both the Oshkosh All-Stars and especially the new Cleveland Chase Brassmen this season. Not only that, but for the second straight season in a row, there were also times where the richest team in the NBL, the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons, had to help fund for the remaining three teams that needed any financial help during this season in case they needed it since they were the most financially stable franchise during this period of time due to them operating as a works team that conveniently fit the military market at hand at that point in time.Nelson Murry R. The National Basketball League: A History, 1935–1949 McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers 2009 978-0-7864-4006-1, p. 6 Teams The Chicago Studebaker Flyers ceased operations at the end of the previous season, after playing as the South Bend Studebaker Champions in the 1943 World Professional Basketball Tournament, with their departure being accidentally perceived as racism coming about following a bad practice session between star players Mike Novak and Sonny Boswell. They were replaced by the Cleveland Chase Brassmen, who had previously competed under the Cleveland Chase Copper Brass name in the Amateur Athletic Union.Nelson Murry R. The National Basketball League: A History, 1935–1949 McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers 2009 978-0-7864-4006-1, p. 124 National Basketball LeagueCleveland Chase Brassmen Cleveland, OhioFort Wayne Zollner Pistons Fort Wayne, IndianaOshkosh All-Stars Oshkosh, WisconsinSheboygan Red Skins Sheboygan, Wisconsin +Coaching changesOffseason Team 1942–43 coach 1943–44 coachFort Wayne Zollner PistonsCarl Bennetthttps://probasketballencyclopedia.com/season/fort-wayne-pistons-2/ FORT WAYNE PISTONSBobby McDermott (player-coach)https://probasketballencyclopedia.com/season/fort-wayne-pistons-3/ FORT WAYNE PISTONSIn-season Team Outgoing coach Incoming coachCleveland Chase BrassmenVito Kubilus (player-coach)https://probasketballencyclopedia.com/season/cleveland-chase-brass/ CLEVELAND CHASE BRASSBill Brownell (player-coach)https://books.google.com/books?id=JRBtAwAAQBAJ&q=Vito+Kubilus&pg=PT174 A Biographical Directory of Professional Basketball Coaches Marcus Jeff Scarecrow Press, Inc. 28 April 2003 9781461726531 January 21, 2026 Regular season Teams were supposed to play a 24-game schedule, with each team playing every other team eight times. However, the Cleveland Chase Brassmen ended up playing only 18 regular season games, skipping two games against every other team, which resulted in the other teams only playing 22 games. The racial integration of the NBL had taken a step back following the departure of the Toledo Jim White Chevrolets and the Chicago Studebaker Flyers, but the process was continued by Cleveland, who fielded African American player Wee Willie Smith after signing him from the New York Renaissance near the end of the season.Nelson Murry R. The National Basketball League: A History, 1935–1949 McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers 2009 978-0-7864-4006-1, p. 127 Final standings Postseason Playoffs All four teams participated in the playoffs to determine the champion. The semifinals were played in a best-of-three format, with the 1-seed Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons playing the 4-seed Cleveland Chase Brassmen and the 2-seed Sheboygan Red Skins playing the 3-seed Oshkosh All-Stars. The finals were played as a best-of-five series. The Pistons advanced to the finals after sweeping the Brassmen 2–0. They were joined by the Red Skins, who defeated the All-Stars 2–1.Nelson Murry R. The National Basketball League: A History, 1935–1949 McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers 2009 978-0-7864-4006-1, pp. 127–128 Finals Fort Wayne won the first game of the series 55–53 in an extremely close-run affair. Bobby McDermott scored 18 points for the Pistons, and Dick Schulz scored 17 for the Red Skins. March 9, 1944 #eee March 10, 1944 Redskins Drop Heartbreaking Tiff https://www.newspapers.com/image/239977661 subscription The Sheboygan Press Sheboygan, Wisconsin February 2, 2026 Newspapers.com 8:30 PM (CWT) Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons 55 Sheboygan Red Skins 53 13–15 16–15 12–12 14–11 Bobby McDermott, 18 Dick Schulz, 17 Game 1, Fort Wayne leads 1–0 Sheboygan ArmorySheboygan, Wisconsin Messenger, Begovich WHBL The second game in Sheboygan was a low-scoring affair. The Red Skins fell behind early and were unable to recover, falling 36–26. Jake Pelkington led the Pistons with 12 points, and Ed Dancker led the Red Skins with 6. Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons 36 Sheboygan Red Skins 26 8:30 PM (CWT) March 11, 1944 March 13, 1944 The Oshkosh Northwestern Oshkosh, Wisconsin Zollners Take Second Win In Sheboygan, 36 To 26 https://www.newspapers.com/image/476750261 subscription February 2, 2026 Newspapers.com Messenger, Kriznecky Sheboygan ArmorySheboygan, Wisconsin Game 2, Fort Wayne leads 2–0 Ed Dancker, 6 Jake Pelkington, 12 8–6 12–6 9–10 7–4 #eee Game 3 saw the series shift to Fort Wayne, which would be the site of the remaining games of the series. Only one game was played there, however, as the Pistons swept the Red Skins and sealed their first NBL title with a 48–38 victory. The Pistons opened up to an early lead and weathered a second-half comeback attempt from the Red Skins. Schulz led the Red Skins with 11 points and McDermott led the Pistons with 12. WHBL #eee March 14, 1944 8:45 PM (CWT) March 15, 1944 Fort Wayne Wins Title In 48 To 38 Victory https://www.newspapers.com/image/239977790/ subscription February 2, 2026 The Sheboygan Press Sheboygan, Wisconsin Newspapers.com Sheboygan Red Skins 38 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons 48 5–17 6–14 14–5 13–12 Dick Schulz, 11 Bobby McDermott, 12 Game 3, Fort Wayne wins 3–0 North Side High School GymFort Wayne, Indiana Kriznecky, Messenger Bracket Semifinals NBL Championship 1 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons 2 4 Cleveland Chase Brassmen 0 2 Sheboygan Red Skins 2 3 Oshkosh All-Stars 1 1 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons 3 2 Sheboygan Red Skins 0Bold Series winner World Professional Basketball Tournament 1944 World Professional Basketball Tournament Following the completion of the playoffs, all four NBL teams participated in the 1944 edition of the World Professional Basketball Tournament. The Cleveland Chase Brassmen, Oshkosh All-Stars, and Sheboygan Red Skins were all eliminated in the quarterfinals. The Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons added on to their NBL title with a victory in the final tournament match over the Brooklyn Eagles, who had beaten the Red Skins and Harlem Globetrotters on their way to the final, by a score of 50–33. The Pistons were also victorious over the New York Rens in the semifinals.Nelson Murry R. The National Basketball League: A History, 1935–1949 McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers 2009 978-0-7864-4006-1, pp. 128–130 #eee March 25, 1944 9:15 PM (CWT) Chicago StadiumChicago, Illinois 14,226 Nate Messenger, Dutch Kriznecky Bob Tough, 11Bernard Opper, 11 Jake Pelkington, 18 12–9 16–2 14–10 8–11 Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons 50 Brooklyn Eagles 33 March 26, 1944 Chicago Tribune Chicago, Illinois Fort Wayne Five Wins Pro Meet https://www.newspapers.com/image/370869449 subscription February 2, 2026 Newspapers.com Statistics Category Player Team Stat Points Mel Riebe Cleveland Chase Brassmen 323https://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/leaders/ NBL Year-by-Year Leaders and Records for Points Basketball-Reference.com Free-Throws Mel Riebe Cleveland Chase Brassmen 45https://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/leaders/ NBL Year-by-Year Leaders and Records for Free Throws Basketball-Reference.com Field goals Bobby McDermott Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons 123https://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/leaders/ NBL Year-by-Year Leaders and Records for Field Goals Basketball-Reference.com Note: Prior to the 1969–70 NBA season, league leaders in points were determined by totals rather than averages. Rebounding and assist numbers were not recorded properly in the NBL like they would be in the BAA/NBA, as would field goal and free-throw shooting percentages. Awards NBL Most Valuable Players: Bobby McDermott, Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons & Mel Riebe, Cleveland Chase Brassmen NBL Coach of the Year: Bobby McDermott, Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons NBL Rookie of the Year: Mel Riebe, Cleveland Chase Brassmen 25em All-NBL First Team: G/F – Mel Riebe, Cleveland Chase Brassmen C/F – Clint Wager, Oshkosh All-Stars C – Ed Dancker, Sheboygan Red Skins G – Buddy Jeannette, Fort Wayne Zollner PIstons G – Bobby McDermott, Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons All-NBL Second Team: F/G – Rube Lautenschlager, Sheboygan Red Skins F/C – Jerry Bush, Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons C/F – Jake Pelkington, Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons G/F – Charley Shipp, Oshkosh All-Stars G – Ken Suesens, Sheboygan Red Skins http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Arena/6925/nbl.html https://web.archive.org/web/20050818001517/http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Arena/6925/nbl.html 2005-08-18 Steve Dimitry's NBL Web Site See also National Basketball League (United States) References External links National Basketball League 1937-38 to 1948-49 Association for Professional Basketball Research http://www.apbr.org/nblstand.html 2026-01-08 National Basketball League III RetroSeasons 2023-03-21 https://www.retroseasons.com/leagues/nbl/1944/overview/ 2026-01-08