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Photo of Buddy Jeannette

Harry E. "Buddy" Jeannette

From 1938 to 1948, Buddy Jeannette was professional basketball's top backcourt player. One of basketball's early pioneers, his dexterous passing, clutch shooting, hard-nosed defense, and all-around playmaking earned him four Most Valuable Player awards. Playing professionally in three different professional leagues - the NBL, ABL, and the BAA - Jeannette won five championships, in Sheboygan (1943), Fort Wayne (1944, 1945), and Baltimore (1947, 1948). In 1947 he was the first-ever player-coach to win a professional championship with the Baltimore Bullets of the American Basketball League, repeating the accomplishment the following year with the Bullets in the Basketball Association of America. Jeannette was an outstanding four-year player at Washington & Jefferson College. Upon his retirement from playing in 1950, Jeannette continued to coach in the NBA, ABA, and Eastern League, and collegiately at Georgetown University.

Enshrined

1994

Born

September 15, 1917 New Kensington, PA

Died

March 11, 1998

College

Washington and Jefferson

Professional Career

Baltimore Bullets Cleveland White House Detroit Eagles Fort Wayne Pistons Saratoga Indians Sheboygan Red Skins Warren Pens

Career Stats

4x ALL-NBL FIRST-TEAM
3x NBL CHAMPION
1947 ABL CHAMPIONSHIP
2x WORLD PROFESSIONAL
TOURNAMENT MVP
1948 BAA Champion
1943 All-NBL Second Team