John Kundla at a glance

A look at the former Minneapolis Lakers Hall of Fame coach:

July 24, 2017 at 4:24AM
John Kundla led the Lakers to six titles, five of them in the NBA and one in the NBL.
In this April 25, 1952, file photo, Minneapolis Lakers coach John Kundla, top, was carried by his players to their dressing room in Minneapolis after defeating the New York Knickerbockers to win their fourth NBA basketball championship in five years. Hall of Fame coach Kundla died Sunday, July 23, 2017. He was 101. (Randy Johnson — Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Born: July 3, 1916, in Star Junction, Pa.

Education: Minneapolis Central High School, University of Minnesota

Coaching experience: DeLaSalle High School (1942-44, won state Catholic tournament in 1944), University of St. Thomas (1946-47, 11-11 record), University of Minnesota (1959-68, 110-105 record), Minneapolis Lakers (1947-59, 466-319 record)

Championships: NBL (1948), BAA (1949), NBA (1950, 1952, 1953, 1954)

Honors: Voted one of the 10 greatest coaches in NBA history; inducted into Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995

Noteworthy: Played both baseball and basketball for the Gophers; played one year of pro baseball.

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