Frank Brian facts for kids
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 1, 1923 Zachary, Louisiana |
| Nationality | American |
| Died | May 14, 2017 (aged 94) Zachary, Louisiana |
| High school | Zachary (Zachary, Louisiana) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Listed weight | 180 lb (82 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | LSU (1942–1943, 1945–1947) |
| Pro career | 1947–1956 |
| Career history | |
| 1947–1950 | Anderson Packers |
| 1950–1951 | Tri-Cities Blackhawks |
| 1951–1956 | Fort Wayne Pistons |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 5,379 |
| Rebounds | 903 |
| Assists | 1,138 |
Frank Sands Brian (born May 1, 1923 – died May 14, 2017) was a talented American professional basketball player. He was known for his speed, earning him the nickname "Flash." Brian played in the early days of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and was a two-time NBA All-Star.
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Frank Brian's Basketball Journey
Frank Brian grew up in Zachary, Louisiana. He was a standout basketball player from a young age. He played college basketball at Louisiana State University (LSU). He was so good that he was named a Basketball All-American. He also earned honors twice for the All-Southeast Conference team.
Starting His Professional Career
In 1947, Frank Brian began his professional basketball career. He joined the Anderson Packers in the National Basketball League (NBL). This league was one of the top basketball leagues at the time.
In 1949, something big happened in professional basketball. The NBL joined with another league called the BAA (Basketball Association of America). Together, they formed the National Basketball Association, or NBA. This is the league we know today.
Frank Brian played three seasons with the Anderson Packers. He scored a lot of points, totaling 2,442 points.
Moving to the NBA
After the 1949–1950 season, the Anderson Packers team stopped playing. Frank Brian then joined the Chicago Stags in the new NBA. However, he was quickly traded to the Tri-Cities Blackhawks.
Becoming an NBA All-Star
Frank Brian quickly made a name for himself in the NBA. In 1951, he was chosen to play in the NBA All-Star Game. This is a special game where the best players from different teams play against each other. Being an All-Star is a huge honor.
He also earned a spot on the All-NBA Second Team in 1951. This means he was recognized as one of the top players in the entire league. That season, he averaged 16.8 points, 3.9 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game. He was the top scorer for the Tri-Cities Blackhawks that year.
In the 1951–1952 season, Frank Brian continued to shine. He was the 5th highest scorer in the league, with 1,144 points for the Blackhawks.
Joining the Fort Wayne Pistons
In May 1951, the Blackhawks traded Frank Brian to the Fort Wayne Pistons. He played five very successful seasons with the Pistons. He continued to be a top scorer, leading the team in points in both 1952 and 1953. In the 1951–52 season, he ranked 6th in the league for scoring, with 1,051 points.
Frank Brian was known for his speed on the court. This is how he got his nickname "Flash." He was one of the fastest players in the league. He also played in the first seven seasons of the NBA's history, making him an important pioneer of the league.
Reaching the NBA Finals
Towards the end of his career, Frank Brian helped the Fort Wayne Pistons reach the NBA Finals in both 1955 and 1956. The NBA Finals are the championship games where the two best teams play to win the league title. He also played in the first NBA Championship Series that used the "shot clock." The shot clock was a new rule that made the game faster.
Frank Brian retired from professional basketball in 1956. He finished his career with a total of 6,663 points from both the NBL and NBA.
Later Life and Honors
After his playing career, Frank Brian was recognized for his achievements.
- In 1986, he was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.
- On September 13, 2013, he was also inducted into the LSU Hall of Fame.
Frank Brian passed away on May 14, 2017, in his hometown of Zachary, Louisiana. He was 94 years old.
See also
In Spanish: Frank Brian para niños
