~ ROCHESTER'S HISTORY ~
AN ILLUSTRATED TIMELINE
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Born in Rochester, Les played basketball for East High School (Class
of 1923)
Where he once scored 16 points in his team's 20-16 victory.
Les played, coached, organized and promoted professional basketball in New York State for the Rochester Seagrams, Ebers and Pros during the 1920s through the 1940s
In 1944, les and his brother jack formed a semi-pro team, the Rochester Pros. The following year the team name was changed to the Rochester Royals playin in the National Basketball League. In three NBL seasons as owner/coach, Les led the Royals to a 99-43 record, three NBL finals (1946-48) and two NBL championships (1946, 1947)
Les took a giant step in 1946, signing the first black player to a professional major league basketball team. Dolly King of Long Island University, was the first black player to break basketball's minority barrier.
During the 1948-49 season Rochester jumped to the rival Basketball Association of America, then continuing to show his leadership in the sport, he was instrumental in the merging of the NBL and the BAA to form the NBA in 1948.
In 10 seasons (1945-55), his teams compiled a 394-220 record and five divisional titles (1946-49, 1951), caping the 1951 season with the NBA championship.
Before the start of the 1957-58 season the team relocated to Cincinnati, and the following year Harrison sold the team.
Coached six future Hall of Famers (Al Cervi, Bob Davies, Alex Hannum, Red Holzman, Buddy Jeannette and Clyde Lovellette)
Les was also involved in the future of professional basketball as a member of the Rules Committee and Board of Directors (NBL, BAA, NBA). He was a proponent of the 24-second shot clock and other game innovations. He also organized the popular Kodak Classic Collegiate Tournament in 1963. He directed this tournament, now known as the Rochester Basketball Classic, for more than 30 years.
Enshrined in Rochester Jewish Sports Hall of Fame (1962), Rochester High School Athletes Hall of Fame (1975), Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame (1979) and International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame (1990)
