Bob Davies

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Lore & Background

Known as the 'Harrisburg Houdini', Davies led Seton Hall to 43 consecutive victories from 1939 into 1941. His spectacular skills helped attract the largest crowd in basketball history at the time, 18,403 people, to Madison Square Garden in March 1941, when Seton Hall beat Rhode Island in a quarter-final game of the National Invitation Tournament. Although Bob Cousy is often considered the originator of the behind-the-back dribble, many say Davies actually deserves the credit.

In Their Own Story

After the war, Davies joined the Rochester Royals and played with them through the 1954–55 season. He helped lead the Royals to an NBL title in 1946, and was named MVP of the NBL for the 1946–47 season. Davies was named to the NBA All-NBA First-Team four straight years, from 1949 through 1952, and he led the NBA in assists with 321 in 1948–49. In his 10 NBL/NBA seasons, Davies scored 7,770 points, averaging 13.7 a game, and had 2,250 assists. He added 904 points and 182 assists in 67 playoff games. He was one of the ten players named to the NBA 25th Anniversary Team in 1971.

Reader's Guide

Davies entered Seton Hall in 1938 on a baseball scholarship, but his coach John 'Honey' Russell persuaded him to concentrate on basketball. Never a high scorer—his best college average was 11.8 points a game—Davies was a consummate passer and play-maker. An All-American guard in 1941 and 1942, he joined the U.S. Navy during World War II and led the Great Lakes Naval Training Station team to a 34–3 record before going overseas. After the war, he joined the Rochester Royals and played with them through the 1954–55 season. Davies helped lead the Royals to an NBL title in 1946, and was named MVP of the NBL for the 1946–47 season. He was named to the NBA All-NBA First-Team four straight years, from 1949 through 1952, and he led the NBA in assists with 321 in 1948–49. In his 10 NBL/NBA seasons, Davies scored 7,770 points, averaging 13.7 a game, and had 2,250 assists. He added 904 points and 182 assists in 67 playoff games. He was one of the ten players named to the NBA 25th Anniversary Team in 1971. Davies coached Seton Hall in 1946–47, while playing with the Royals, and compiled a 24–3 record. After retiring as a player, he coached Gettysburg College for two seasons, winning 28 games while losing 19. After retiring from basketball, Davies was a salesman for the Converse Shoe Company.

Did You Know?

• Davies's Seton Hall coach, John 'Honey' Russell, once said of his behind-the-back dribble: 'He had such uncanny control of the ball behind his back that it never concerned me. He made it look as easy as the conventional
• The No. 11 jersey worn by Davies during his playing days with the Rochester Royals was retired by the team. The Sacramento Kings, the present holders of the franchise, continue the honor.