One of basketball¿s all-time greats at every level of the game, Clyde Lovellette grew up in difficult circumstances in Terre Haute, Indiana. In high school he was twice named All-State. After graduating high school he headed to Kansas to play for coaching legend Phog Allen where he was three times an All-American and lead the 1952 Jayhawks to a national championship. Directly following college Clyde went on to win Olympic gold. During his profes­sional career he collected three NBA championship rings. His first championship was with the Minneapolis Lakers and with it he became the first player in history to win an NCAA title, an Olympic gold medal, and an NBA championship. He collected two more championship rings with the Boston Celtics playing behind the great Bill Russell. Lovellette has been honored by selection to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, the College Basketball Hall of Fame in Kansas City, the Kansas Univer­sity Hall of Fame, the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, and the Helms Foundation Hall of Fame.

Many know about Terre Haute's long-gone reputation as a "sin city," but that hardly tells the whole story. Unknown to all but a few, the city was home to a POW camp for Confederate prisoners and divers once plucked valuable freshwater pearls from the Wabash River. Druggist Jacob Baur discovered a way to liquefy carbon dioxide, earning him the title "King of Soda Fountains." Before the advent of Hollywood, motion pictures were made here. And one of the biggest child stars of the 1930s and '40s was a local boy named Billy Lee. He joined another child star from the area, Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer of Our Gang fame. Historian Tim Crumrin reveals the overlooked events and people in Terre Haute's past.

Spanning decades with great columns from renowned writers, this time capsule recounts the greatest moments in Kansas lore and tracks the chronological progression of sports writing styles from the esoteric to the ultra-modern. The account details the Jayhawks from their roots of glory to their modern-day triumphs.

Basketball is now the second most popular sport world-wide trailing only futbol (soccer) in the number of participants, fans, and leagues. Its popularity is due to the fact that the game of basketball requires the most number of physical skills making basketball players the most complete athletes. The speed, grace and teamwork required to play the game combined with the athleticism required makes it beautiful to watch and fun to play. The United States has always been and always will be the greatest basketball nation. Although the rest of the world has been catching up with us (note the increasing number of international players in the NBA from all parts of the world) we invented it (thank you Dr. Naismith); we perfected it (thank you Coach Wooden, Bill Russell, Larry, Magic, Michael, Lebron, etc.); and we still have the highest concentration of excellence at all levels - high school, college and professional. Indiana has long been known to be basketball crazy. The image of a basketball goal on every garage, barn or any other place you can put one (including the governor’s residence) is based, as most legends are, on a ring of truth. Indiana has always been basketball crazy. Decades before “March Madness” became a national trademark, Hoosier Hysteria rippled through the entire state at tourney time. Other states can claim they are the “best” basketball state. Certainly North Carolina does and cases can be made for Kentucky, New York and California. This study provides overwhelming statistical evidence and so much anecdotal support that it is undeniable that Indiana IS the center of the basketball world.

Great Teams in Pro Basketball History names ten of the greatest teams in pro basketball and tells what made them stand out. Learn which players were MVPs and the records of unstoppable teams. Discover how players came together to beat their opponents. Read about changes that were constantly being made to keep up with the growing sport. From talented players to dynamic coaches, this book spans almost 40 years to find the best in pro basketball history. Book jacket.

This is a book for all fans of Indiana basketball.