Robert F. Gruenig Enshrined 1963 Chicago, IL March 12, 1913 - August 11, 1958 Biography Considered one of the game's first great big men, Robert Gruenig could score and rebound and he altered many games with his presence. Although he played less than a year of college ball, "Ace" was one of basketball's first great big men and became a star playing in the AAU. At 6-foot-8, Gruenig possessed a devastating hook shot that frustrated many players. A First-Team AAU All-America ten times, he led the Denver Safeway (1937), Denver Nuggets (1939), and Denver American Legion (1942) teams to AAU championships. In 1948, at the age of 35, the elder statesman scored 104 points in five AAU tournament games. Career Highlights AAU All-America First-Team, 1937-40, 1942-46, 1948 AAU championship with Denver Safeway, 1937 AAU championship with Denver Nuggets, 1939 AAU championship with Denver American Legion, 1942