Nat Holman

Nat Holman 1933 Goudey Sport Kings card.

Nat Holman (October 19, 1896 in New York, NY – February 12, 1995 in Bronx, New York) was one of the early pro basketball players and one of the game's most important innovators.

Career

Known for his exceptional ball-handling and his accurate shooting, Holman was a star player at New York University.

He was also an important part of the Original Celtics (no relation to the Boston Celtics). Also a gifted passer and excellent floor leader, Holman has been a prototype to later playmakers.

Although he played pro basketball until 1930, he took over the head coaching position at the City College of New York in 1920. Known as Mr. Basketball, Holman guided CCNY to the so-called grand slam of college basketball, winning both the NCAA and NIT titles in 1950, a feat that has never been achieved since (and is no longer possible as both tournaments are now done concurrently). Holman compiled a 421–190 record in 37 seasons at CCNY, retiring in 1960.

Holman also founded Camp Scatico in 1921 and ran the camp until he sold it to his niece and her husband in 1964.

In his later years, he lived and died at the Hebrew Home for the Aged in the Riverdale section of the Bronx.

See also

• List of select Jewish basketball players

External links

• Basketball Hall of Fame profile
• "Nat Holman: the man, his legacy, and CCNY", Nat Holman exhibit at CCNY Library, 2006
• The First Basket – Documentary film about Jewish basketball history
• Nat Holman at Findagrave.com