1948 World Professional Basketball Tournament

World Professional Basketball Tournament

1948
Tournament information
Location	Chicago, Illinois
Dates	8 April–11 April
Venue	Chicago Stadium
Teams	8
Final positions
Champions	Minneapolis Lakers
1st runner-up	New York Rens
2nd runner-up	Anderson Duffey Packers
Tournament statistics
MVP	George Mikan
Top scorer	George Mikan

The 1948 World Professional Basketball Tournament was the tenth^[1] and final edition of the World Professional Basketball Tournament. It was held in Chicago, Illinois, during the days of 8–11 April 1948^[2] and featured eight teams.^[3] It was won by the Minneapolis Lakers who defeated the New York Renaissance 75–71 in the title game,^[4] behind George Mikan's tournament record 40 points.^[5] The Anderson Duffey Packers came in third after beating the Tri-Cities Blackhawks 66–44 in the third-place game.^[6] Mikan led all scorers and was named the tournaments Most Valuable Player.^[7][8]

Results

Bracket

	Quarterfinals				Semifinals				Final
	April 8
	Minneapolis Lakers	98
					April 9
	Wilkes-Barre Barons	48
					Minneapolis Lakers	59
	April 8
					Anderson Duffey Packers	56
	Tri-Cities BlackHawks	57
									April 11
	Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons	50
									Minneapolis Lakers	75
	April 8
									New York Rens	71
	New York Rens	67
					April 9
	Bridgeport Newfields	51
					New York Rens	59
	April 8
					Tri-Cities BlackHawks	55			Runner up
	Anderson Duffey Packers	59
									April 11
	Indianapolis Kautskys	53
									Tri-Cities BlackHawks	44
									Anderson Duffey Packers	66

Third place game

April 11, 1948

Box score

Tri-Cities BlackHawks 44, Anderson Duffey Packers 66
Scoring by half: 27–27, 17–29
Pts: W. von Nieda – 15		Pts: R. Johnson – 14

Chicago Stadium Attendance: 16,892 Referees: Bill Downs, Dutch Kriznecky

Championship game

April 11, 1948

Box score

Minneapolis Lakers 75, New York Rens 71
Scoring by half: 43–35, 32–36
Pts: G. Mikan – 40		Pts: N. Clifton – 24

Chicago Stadium Attendance: 16,892

Individual awards

All-Tournament First team

• C - George Mikan, Minneapolis Lakers (MVP)
• F - Nat Clifton, New York Rens
• F - Jim Pollard, Minneapolis Lakers
• G - Charley Shipp, Anderson Duffey Packers
• G - Herm Schaefer, Minneapolis Lakers

All-Tournament Second team

• C - Howie Schultz, Anderson Duffey Packers
• F - Dick Triptow, Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons
• F - John Hargis, Anderson Duffey Packers
• F - Howie Schultz, Anderson Duffey Packers
• G - Bobby McDermott, Tri-Cities Blackhawks
• G - George Crowe, New York Rens

References

1. "N.Y. Rens to give Lakers tough battle". Star Tribune. April 11, 1948. p. 35. Retrieved April 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
2. Sid Hartman (April 8, 1948). "Kundla wondering what a layoff might do to Lakers at Chicago". Times, the Picture Paper. p. 27. Retrieved April 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
3. "Pro quints open World Title play". The Akron Beacon Journal. April 8, 1948. p. 43. Retrieved April 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
4. Bill Carlson (April 12, 1948). "Lakers 'World Champions' now". The Minneapolis Star. p. 23. Retrieved March 15, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
5. Edward Prell (April 12, 1948). "Lakers defeat Rens, 75 to 71, for pro title". Chicago Tribune. p. 57. Retrieved April 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Mikan's 40 points, on 14 field goals and 12 of 15 free throws, broke the tournament individual scoring record.
6. Russ Kiesele (April 12, 1948). "Lakers take pro tourney crown over rens, 75-71; Mikan collects 40 points". The Dispatch. p. 19. Retrieved April 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
7. "Lakers beat Rens 75-71 and cop title". Journal and Courier. April 12, 1948. p. 8. Retrieved April 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
8. Sid Hartman. "Lakers dominated pro meet in all phases". Times, the Picture Paper. pp. 26–30. Retrieved April 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.

External links

• WPBT 1939-48 on apbr.org