Harry E. "Buddy" Jeannette enshrined as player in 1994

Harry E. "Buddy" Jeannette

Enshrined 1994
Born: September 15, 1917
New Kensington, PA
Died: March 11, 1998

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 play-making earned him four MVP 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 ABL, repeating the accomplishment the following year with the Bullets in the BAA. An outstanding four-year player at Washington & Jefferson, Jeannette was named an honorable mention All-America. Upon retirement from playing in 1950, Buddy continued to coach in the NBA, ABA, and Eastern League, and collegiately at Georgetown University.