Indianapolis Olympians
The short-lived but historic Indianapolis Olympians.
The Indianapolis Olympians were a founding National Basketball Association (NBA) team based in Indianapolis. They were founded in 1949 and folded in 1953. Their home arena was Butler Fieldhouse on the campus of Butler University, now known as Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Quick Facts
- Founded
- 1949
- League
- National Basketball Association (NBA)
- Location
- Indianapolis, Indiana
Lore & Background
The Olympians were founded in 1949 and were originally slated to play in the National Basketball League (NBL). However, with the merger of the NBL and the Basketball Association of America, the franchise played its first games in the newly formed National Basketball Association (NBA), essentially replacing the previously existing Indianapolis Jets franchise. The Olympians were led by University of Kentucky alumni Alex Groza and Ralph Beard, both of whom were key contributors on the gold medal-winning 1948 US Olympic basketball team. Olympic team members Wallace Jones and Cliff Barker (both also Kentucky alumni) also played on the team. An Olympic alternate and UK grad, Joe Holland, played forward for the Indianapolis team through the 1952 season. After the 1951 season, Groza and Beard were suspended from the NBA for life by commissioner Maurice Podoloff when the players admitted point shaving during their college careers. The Olympians finished with a 28–43 record in 1953, and folded after that season on April 23, 1953. The Olympians compiled a 132–137 record in four seasons in the NBA. Indianapolis would not have an NBA team until 1976 when the Indiana Pacers were one of the four teams admitted from the American Basketball Association in the ABA–NBA merger.
Reader's Guide
The Olympians still hold the distinction of being the winning team in the longest game in NBA history—they were the 75–73 victors in a six-overtime game against the Rochester Royals in a game played on January 6, 1951. Notable players include Ralph Beard, Alex Groza, Wallace Jones, Paul Walther, and Kleggie Hermsen. No Basketball Hall of Famers played for the Olympians.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the Indianapolis Olympians?
The Indianapolis Olympians were the original team that started the organization currently called the Sacramento Kings. Founded in 1947, they mark the very beginning of this professional basketball lineage.
Where did the team go after leaving Indianapolis?
The franchise left Indiana in 1957 and was reborn as the Rochester Royals in a new city. This move concluded their history under the Olympians name while preserving the roster for future growth.
More in Club History & Eras
Elsewhere in Sacramento Kings
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced