Ben Goldfaden facts for kids
Goldfaden with the Washington Capitols in 1946
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| Personal information | |
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| Born | September 6, 1913 |
| Nationality | American |
| Died | March 25, 2013 (aged 99) Tavares, Florida |
| High school | South Side (Newark, New Jersey) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Listed weight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | George Washington (1934–1937) |
| Pro career | 1938–1947 |
| Career history | |
| 1938–1942 | Washington Brewers |
| 1942–1943 | Philadelphia Sphas |
| 1943–1945 | Wilmington Bombers |
| 1945–1946 | Trenton Tigers |
| 1946 | Washington Capitols |
| 1946–1947 | Trenton Tigers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Benjamin Paul Goldfaden (September 6, 1913 – March 25, 2013) was an American professional basketball player. He played a few games in the Basketball Association of America (BAA). This league later became the famous National Basketball Association (NBA). Ben Goldfaden played for the Washington Capitols during the 1946–47 season. Most of his professional career was spent playing in the American Basketball League.
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Early Life and Basketball Start
Ben Goldfaden started playing basketball in Detroit when he was young. His height helped him a lot in the game. He went to South Side High School in Newark, New Jersey. There, he was chosen for the all-state team in 1933, showing he was one of the best players in the state.
College Basketball Career
Many schools wanted Ben to play for them because he was so good. Even though he was Jewish, Catholic and other schools tried to recruit him. As a 16-year-old, he sometimes played for "barnstorming teams." These were teams that traveled around to play exhibition games. This could have stopped him from playing college basketball as an amateur. However, he still got an athletic scholarship. Ben played college basketball for the George Washington Colonials.
Life After Professional Basketball
Ben Goldfaden stopped playing basketball when he was 33 years old. He decided to become a physical education teacher instead. The salary for a teacher was better than what he earned playing basketball at the time.
After teaching, he worked for 20 years as an agent for an insurance company. He also served as a city recreation director in Maryland. This meant he helped organize sports and fun activities for people in the city.
Later Years and Legacy
Ben Goldfaden passed away at the age of 99 in Tavares, Florida. He died from heart failure. At the time of his death, many believed he was the oldest living former NBA player.
Images for kids
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Goldfaden with the Washington Capitols in 1946
