Frank A. Ehmann (December 23, 1933 – August 27, 2023) was an American basketball player known for his All-American college career at Northwestern University.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 23, 1933 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | August 27, 2023 (aged 89) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Listed weight | 180 lb (82 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | St. George (Evanston, Illinois) |
| College | Northwestern (1951–1955) |
| NBA draft | 1955: 4th round, 32nd overall pick |
| Selected by the Syracuse Nationals | |
| Position | Forward |
| Number | 11 |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Stats at Basketball Reference | |
Ehmann joined Northwestern from nearby St. George High School in Evanston, Illinois. He was able to play for the Wildcats as a freshman due to a temporary relaxation of NCAA eligibility rules due to the Korean War. He made the most of his opportunity, earning a starting role that he would hold for four varsity seasons. After two solid years, Ehmann became a primary scorer for the Wildcats as a junior in the 1953–54 season.[1] He averaged 18.2 points per game and at the end of the season was named second-team All-Big Ten Conference[2] and Northwestern's most valuable player for the season.[3]
As a senior, Ehmann spent the year in contention for the Big Ten scoring title as he upped his average to 23.9 points per game.[4][5] He was recognized as a first-team All-Big Ten performer and earned a spot on Look Magazine's 10-man All-American team.[6][7] Ehmann left Northwestern as the school's all-time leading scorer for a career (1,291), season (501 his senior year) and single-game (38) – all since broken.[8][9]
Following the close of his college career, Ehmann toured with a college All-Star team in a series of exhibition games against the Harlem Globetrotters.[8][10] In the 1955 NBA draft, he was selected by the Syracuse Nationals in the fourth round, but never played in the league. Instead he joined the United States Navy and played amateur basketball on service teams.[11] After his military service, Ehmann entered a career in business in the Chicago area. He once contemplated a return to the business side of basketball in 1989 as a candidate for commissioner of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA), though he ultimately withdrew his name from consideration.[12]
Ehmann died on August 27, 2023.[13]
References
edit- ^ "Cage those Wildcats, Big Ten! Sixth-placers on scoring binge". The Cincinnati Enquirer. February 17, 1954. p. 35. Retrieved June 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Coaches name Ebert to All-Big Ten quintet". Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. March 8, 1954. p. 14. Retrieved June 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "N.U. basket squad chooses Ehmann most valuable". Chicago Tribune. March 5, 1954. p. 29. Retrieved June 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ehmann of N'Western could win Big Ten scoring title". Corvallis Gazette-Times. February 10, 1955. p. 15. Retrieved June 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Wildcat fights for crown". The Morning Herald. March 2, 1955. p. 13. Retrieved June 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Garmaker leading Big Ten All-Star". Portage Daily Register. March 3, 1955. p. 4. Retrieved June 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Garmaker, Ehmann on Look team". Rapid City Journal. March 8, 1955. p. 13. Retrieved June 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Ehmann will appear here". The Des Moines Register. March 22, 1955. p. 14. Retrieved June 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ehmann hits high with 38 points". Detroit Free Press. February 1, 1955. p. 24. Retrieved June 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ehmann's points jolt Trotters". The Times of Northwest Indiana. April 15, 1955. p. 37. Retrieved June 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "La Crosse plays Great Lakes here". La Crosse Tribune. December 13, 1955. p. 13. Retrieved June 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Choice satisfies Minegar". La Crosse Tribune. November 8, 1989. p. 19. Retrieved June 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Frank A. Ehmann Obituary". donellanfuneral.com. Donnellan Family Funeral Services. Retrieved August 11, 2024.