Bob Davies
(1920-1990)
Hall of Fame Induction: 1970
Card Shown:
1952 Wheaties
(hand-cut)
Position: G/F
Height: 6’1″
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Bob Davies, the “Harrisburg Houdini,” was a master ball-handler. His behind-the-back and through-the-leg passes entertained many basketball fans in the mid-20th century. Davies was the second biggest attraction in the early days of professional basketball, after the legendary George Mikan. He helped lead his team, the Rochester Royals, to the 1951 NBA championship.
Awards and Honors
- In 1948-49 Bob led the BAA in assists with 321.
- Davies played in four NBA All-Star games from 1951 through 1954.
- Bob was selected to the All-BAA/NBA first team four times from 1948-49 through 1951-52.
- Davies and Bobby Wanzer formed one of the early NBA’s best backcourts and they led the Rochester Royals to the NBA championship in 1951. Arnie Risen and Red Holzman were also members of the team.
- Davies was named to the NBA’s 25th Anniversary Team in 1970.
Points of Interest
- Davies went to Seton Hall on a baseball scholarship and signed a contract to play with the Boston Red Sox. His Seton Hall basketball coach, John “Honey” Russell, persuaded him to concentrate on basketball after seeing him play.
- Bob led the Seton Hall basketball team to 43 straight victories from 1939 to 1941.
- Davies is considered the best ball-handler of the first half of the 20th century and is the inventor of the behind-the-back pass.
- His ball-handling and shooting helped bring on the faster style of play in the NBA’s early days that continues today.
- In 1946-47 Davies was the National Basketball League’s Most Valuable Player. That year he also coached Seton Hall to a 24-3 record.
Statistics
Bob Davies Statistics
provided by Basketball-Reference.com