John Abramovic facts for kids
Abramovic with the Salem Tigers
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 9, 1919 Etna, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | June 9, 2000 (aged 81) Ormond Beach, Florida, U.S. |
| High school | Etna (Etna, Pennsylvania) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Listed weight | 195 lb (88 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Salem (1939–1943) |
| Pro career | 1946–1948 |
| Career history | |
| 1946–1947 | Pittsburgh Ironmen |
| 1947 | St. Louis Bombers |
| 1947 | Baltimore Bullets |
| 1947–1948 | Syracuse Nationals |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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John M. Abramovic Jr. (born February 9, 1919 – died June 9, 2000) was an American professional basketball player. He was known by his nickname, "Brooms". After his basketball career, he worked in his family's business that made brooms.
Early Life and College Basketball
John Abramovic grew up in Etna, Pennsylvania. He finished high school in 1937. After high school, he worked for two years in his family's factory, which made brooms.
His high school coach helped him get a scholarship to attend Salem College (now called Salem University) in Salem, West Virginia. John played college basketball there from 1939 to 1943. He was an amazing scorer! John Abramovic was the very first college basketball player to score more than 2,000 points in his college career, reaching a total of 2,170 points.
During World War II, John Abramovic served his country. He spent three years in the United States Navy.
Playing Professional Basketball
After the war, John Abramovic returned to Pennsylvania in 1946. He joined the Pittsburgh Ironmen, a team in a brand new league called the Basketball Association of America (BAA). This league later became the NBA.
John played one season with the Pittsburgh Ironmen. He scored an average of 11.2 points per game. After that season, the team stopped playing. He played professionally for just one more year. Then, he decided to retire from basketball. He went back to Etna to work in his family's business, which made brooms and mops.
Even after he stopped playing, John stayed involved in sports. He became an official (a referee) for high school and college sports for more than 25 years!
His Legacy and Honors
John Abramovic was a very respected athlete. He was honored for his achievements in sports:
- In 1971, he was inducted into the West Virginia Sportswriters Hall of Fame.
- In 1984, he was inducted into the Salem University Athletic Hall of Fame.
