Don Meineke facts for kids
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 30, 1930 Dayton, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | September 3, 2013 (aged 82) Dayton, Ohio, U.S. |
| High school | Wilbur Wright (Dayton, Ohio) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Listed weight | 208 lb (94 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Dayton (1949–1952) |
| NBA Draft | 1952 / Round: 2 / Pick: 12th overall |
| Selected by the Fort Wayne Pistons | |
| Pro career | 1952–1958 |
| Career history | |
| 1952–1955 | Fort Wayne Pistons |
| 1955–1958 | Rochester / Cincinnati Royals |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career statistics | |
| Points | 2,338 (6.8 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 1,626 (4.7 rpg) |
| Assists | 433 (1.3 apg) |
Don "Monk" Meineke (born October 30, 1930 – died September 3, 2013) was an American basketball player. He was known for his strong play in college. He became a top player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Don Meineke won the very first Rookie of the Year award in 1953.
College Basketball Star
Don Meineke played college basketball for the University of Dayton. He was a very important player for the Dayton Flyers team. In 1951, as a junior, he scored 20.6 points per game. He helped his team reach the finals of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).
The next year, in 1952, he continued to play great. He averaged 21.1 points per game. The Flyers made it to the NIT finals again. After his senior year, Don was named a second-team All-American. This means he was recognized as one of the best college players in the country.
Professional NBA Career
After college, Don Meineke joined the National Basketball Association. He played for the Fort Wayne Pistons. In his first year, the 1952–53 NBA season, he made history. He won the very first Rookie of the Year Award. This award goes to the best new player in the league.
During that same season, Don was known for getting a lot of fouls. A foul is when a player breaks a rule, like pushing an opponent. If a player gets too many fouls, they are "disqualified" from the game. Don set an NBA record that year. He was disqualified from 26 games, which is still the most in a single season. He averaged almost 5 fouls per game.
After playing for the Pistons, Don Meineke moved to the Rochester Royals for the 1955–56 season. He took a break from basketball for one season. Then, he rejoined the team when they moved and became the Cincinnati Royals in 1957–58. He played his last professional season with them.
Don's Family Life
Don Meineke was married to Mary Jane Hautman. They had four children together.
