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Bobby Wanzer, basketball Hall of Famer with Rochester Royals, dies at 94 Bobby Wanzer, basketball Hall of Famer with Rochester Royals, dies at 94
(3 days later)
Bobby Wanzer, a basketball Hall of Famer who starred at point guard for Seton Hall in the 1940s and led the Rochester Royals to their only NBA championship, died Jan. 23 at his home in Pittsford, N.Y., outside Rochester. He was 94. Bobby Wanzer, a basketball Hall of Famer who starred at point guard for Seton Hall in the 1940s and led the Rochester Royals to their only National Basketball Association championship, died Jan. 23 at his home in Pittsford, N.Y., outside Rochester. He was 94.
His family announced his death.His family announced his death.
Mr. Wanzer, a New York City native, played for championship teams at Benjamin Franklin High School in Harlem in 1940 and 1941 before enrolling at Seton Hall in South Orange, N.J. He was a standout for the Pirates for two seasons, 1942-1943 and 1946-1947, his college career interrupted for three years while he served in the Marines during World War II. Mr. Wanzer, a New York City native, played for championship teams at Benjamin Franklin High School in Harlem in 1940 and 1941 before enrolling at Seton Hall in South Orange, N.J. He was a standout for the Pirates for two seasons, 1942-1943 and 1946-1947, his college career having been interrupted for three years while he served in the Marine Corps during World War II.
In those two seasons, Mr. Wanzer led the Pirates to a 40-5 record, including what was then a program-best 24 wins in 1946-1947, when he led the team in scoring at 11.6 points per game. In those two seasons, Mr. Wanzer led the Pirates to a 40-5 record, including what was then a program-best 24 wins in 1946-1947, when he led the team in scoring, averaging 11.6 points a game.
After being selected by the Royals with the 10th overall pick of the draft in 1948, the 6-foot Mr. Wanzer teamed with Bob Davies and Frank “Pep” Saul, whom he played with at Seton Hall, to help guide the Royals (who moved to Cincinnati and Kansas City before becoming the Sacramento Kings) to the 1951 NBA Championship. After being selected by the Royals as the 10th overall pick of the draft in 1948, the 6-foot Mr. Wanzer teamed up with Bob Davies and Frank “Pep” Saul, both of whom he played with at Seton Hall, to help guide the Royals (which moved to Cincinnati and Kansas City, Mo., before becoming the Sacramento Kings) to the 1951 NBA championship.
In the finals, Mr. Wanzer averaged 12.4 points and 3.6 assists and scored 13 points in the decisive Game 7 to help beat the New York Knicks.In the finals, Mr. Wanzer averaged 12.4 points and 3.6 assists and scored 13 points in the decisive Game 7 to help beat the New York Knicks.
“We were an exceptional team passing the basketball,” Mr. Wanzer told the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle in a 2003 interview. “We played tough man-to-man defense, we were a smart team that knew how to control the ball before the 24-second clock, and we made our free throws.”“We were an exceptional team passing the basketball,” Mr. Wanzer told the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle in a 2003 interview. “We played tough man-to-man defense, we were a smart team that knew how to control the ball before the 24-second clock, and we made our free throws.”
In nine NBA seasons, all with the Royals, Mr. Wanzer averaged 12.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists. He was a five-time NBA All-Star and three-time All-NBA second-team selection. In 1952, he also set a league record for free-throw shooting percentage at 90.4 percent, which was later broken. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987.In nine NBA seasons, all with the Royals, Mr. Wanzer averaged 12.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists. He was a five-time NBA All-Star and three-time All-NBA second-team selection. In 1952, he also set a league record for free-throw shooting percentage at 90.4 percent, which was later broken. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987.
After his NBA playing career, Mr. Wanzer coached the Royals for 31/2 seasons and in 1962 was named the first men’s head basketball coach at St. John Fisher College in Pittsford. He coached there for 24 years and also served as athletic director. After his NBA playing career, Mr. Wanzer coached the Royals for 3 1/2 seasons, and in 1962, he was named the first men’s head basketball coach at St. John Fisher College in Pittsford. He coached there for 24 years and also served as athletic director.
Robert Francis Wanzer was born in Brooklyn on June 4, 1921. He was inducted into the Seton Hall Athletics Hall of Fame in 1974 and his uniform No. 8 was retired by the college in 1987. He also was inducted into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame. Robert Francis Wanzer was born in Brooklyn on June 4, 1921. He was inducted into the Seton Hall Athletics Hall of Fame in 1974, and his uniform, No. 8, was retired by the college in 1987. He also was inducted into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame.
His wife, the former Nina Penrose, died in 2005. Survivors include three children; a sister; five grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.His wife, the former Nina Penrose, died in 2005. Survivors include three children; a sister; five grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.
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