Thomas (Tom) Joseph Gola (born January 13, 1933, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a retired American basketball players. January 13 is the 13th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... Nickname: Motto: Philadelphia maneto - Let brotherly love continue Location in Pennsylvania Coordinates: , Country United States Commonwealth Pennsylvania County Philadelphia Founded October 27, 1682 Incorporated October 25, 1701 Government  - Mayor John F. Street (D) Area  - City 369. ... Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Area  Ranked 33rd  - Total 46,055 sq mi (119,283 km²)  - Width 280 miles (455 km)  - Length 160 miles (255 km)  - % water 2. ... Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five active players each try to score points against one another by throwing a ball through a high hoop (the basket) under organized rules. ...

Gola was praised as a great all-around player as a high school student at La Salle College High School, where he led the Explorers to a Philadelphia Catholic League Championship. He entered La Salle a year after another NBA hall of famer, Paul Arizin, graduated. Gola came to national attention while playing for the hometown La Salle University Explorers men's basketball team in 1954 as an All-American forward. At 6'6" (198 cm), Gola was clearly a forward who could shoot/score, rebound and defend, but he also had the ballhandling (dribbling, passing) skills of a guard, and with his shooting range and All-Pro defensive skills, could play just as well in the backcourt. La Salle College High School founded in 1858 is an independent, Catholic, college preparatory school for boys located in Wyndmoor, a community in Springfield Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States, outside Philadelphia. ... Paul Joseph Arizin (April 9, 1928 – December 12, 2006), nicknamed Pitchin Paul, was an American basketball player who spent his entire National Basketball Association career with the Philadelphia Warriors from 1950 to 1962. ... La Salle University is a private, co-educational, comprehensive university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Named for St. ... La Salle Universitys 23 varsity sports teams, known as the Explorers, compete in the NCAAs Division I and are a member of the Atlantic Ten Conference. ... Head Coach John Giannini 3rd year, 38-49 (through 06-07) Home Stadium Tom Gola Arena Capacity 4,000 Outfitter And 1 Conference Affiliation MAC (1966-1974) ECC (1974-1983) Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (1983-1992) MCC (1992-1995) Atlantic 10 (1995-Present) Team Records All-Time: 1,184-763... Year 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... An All-America team is a sports team composed of star players. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... A rebound, in some sports, is the retrieval of the ball after a missed shot, especially in basketball and netball. ...

After a phenomenal college career, Gola turned pro with the Philadelphia Warriors as a territorial draft pick. He teamed with All-Pros Paul Arizin and Neil Johnston to lead the Warriors to the NBA Championship in 1956. He gained praise for concentrating on defense, passing and rebounding and allowing the other two to be the chief scorers during these years. The Golden State Warriors are a professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. ... Paul Joseph Arizin (April 9, 1928 – December 12, 2006), nicknamed Pitchin Paul, was an American basketball player who spent his entire National Basketball Association career with the Philadelphia Warriors from 1950 to 1962. ... Neil Johnston (born February 4, 1929 Chillicothe, OH - died September 28, 1978 Chillicothe, OH) was a center with an 8 year career from 1952 to 1959. ... The NBA Finals is the championship series of the National Basketball Association, played under a best-of-seven playoff format. ... Year 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Gola was married to Caroline in June 1955, and they had one son. He served in the military from 1956 to 1958.

In 1959, Johnston temporarily retired due to a knee injury and the Warriors added seven-foot superstar Wilt Chamberlain. Again sacrificing himself for his team, Gola helped the Warriors back to the NBA Finals, but they could not beat the star-studded Boston Celtics during his seasons in the early 1960s with Chamberlain. Wilton Norman Wilt Chamberlain (August 21, 1936–October 12, 1999), nicknamed Wilt the Stilt and The Big Dipper, was an American professional National Basketball Association (NBA) basketball player for the Philadelphia / San Francisco Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers; and also played for the Harlem Globetrotters. ... Logo of the NBA Finals. ... The Boston Celtics are a professional basketball team based in Boston, Massachusetts. ... The 1960s decade refers to the years from January 1, 1960 to December 31, 1969, inclusive. ...

Gola played with the New York Knicks from 1962 to 1966. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

In 1968, he returned to La Salle University to serve as an acclaimed basketball coach, leading the Explorers to a 37-13 record during his two-year stay. He was named Coach of the Year by Philadelphia and New York journalists. He led the Explorers to a 23-1 record during the 1968-69 season, but La Salle was ineligible for the NCAA Tournament due to a suspension for an alumni offering some players "no show" jobs. The school's Tom Gola Arena was named after him. La Salle University is a private, co-educational, comprehensive university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Named for St. ... Tom Gola Arena is a 4,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania situated inside the Hayman Center. ...

He was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame on April 26, 1976. Basketball Hall of Fame Logo The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame honors players who have shown exceptional skill at basketball, all-time great coaches and referees, and other major contributors to the game. ...

After his retirement from basketball, Gola served in the Pennsylvania State Legislature, followed by a stint as Philadelphia City Controller. He ran for city mayor in 1983, but came in third in the race. Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ...

College basketball achievements

• All-District player (four times, 1952-55)
• All-State player (four times, 1952-55)
• All-America selection (four times, 1952-55)
• Consensus All-American (three times, 1953-55)
• NIT Championship, NIT Co-MVP (1952)
• First alternate to US Olympic Basketball Team (1952)
• NCAA Championship, NCAA Tournament MVP (1954; first title game ever televised)
• College Basketball Player of the Year (1954)
• NCAA all-time rebound leader (2,201)
• 2,461 points
• 102-19 won-lost record
• His #15 was retired by La Salle.

Pro basketball achievements

• NBA championship in his first professional year (1956)
• All-NBA Team (1958)
• NBA All-Star (five times, 1960-64)
• 7,871 career points
• One of only two players to win NCAA, NIT & NBA championships
• Basketball Hall of Famer

Basketball Hall of Fame Logo The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame honors players who have shown exceptional skill at basketball, all-time great coaches and referees, and other major contributors to the game. ...

External links

• Basketball Hall of Fame profile