Midwest Professional Basketball League

The Midwest Professional Basketball League was a professional basketball league. The six team league existed for three seasons, playing from 19611962 through 19631964 until the league folded after the 1964 season.[1]

Midwest Professional Basketball League
SportBasketball
Founded1961
Ceased1964
No. of teams6
CountryUnited States
Last
champion(s)
Gary Whips (1961-1962)
Holland Oilers (1962-1963)
Grand Rapids Tackers (1963-1964)

History and Franchises

The league was composed of six teams per season, The founding teams (1961-1962) were: Battle Creek Warriors, Dayton Little Mickeys, East Chicago Bombers, Gary Whips, Terre Haute All-Stars and Toledo Twisters. The Whips had the best league record at 9-4.[2]

In 1962-1963, Battle Creek and Terre Haute did not have teams, replaced by Holland and Grand Rapids. The second season teams therefore were: Chicago Bombers, Dayton Mickeys, Grand Rapids Tackers, Gary Whips, Holland Oilers and Toledo Tartans. Holland defeated Toledo for the MPBL Championship.[2]

In 1963-1964, the league fielded five teams and dropped to four, with the season divided into halves. Gary folded after the first half. The five beginning teams were: Battle Creek Warriors, Chicago Bombers, Gary Steelers, Grand Rapids Tackers and Holland Oilers. Grand Rapids won both halves and played the Allentown Jets of the Eastern Professional Basketball League in a post season championship. Allentown won 128-126.[2][3]

League Notes

The 1963-1964 Most Valuable Player was Nick Mantis of Grand Rapids.[2]

The 1962-1963 First Team was: Charlie North, Grand Rapids; Willie Merriweather, Holland; M.C. Burton, Toledo; George Knighton, Dayton; Floyd Campbell, Gary.[2]

The 1963-1964 First Team was:Nick Mantis, Grand Rapids; Ed Burton, Holland; Willie Lee Bond, Chicago; M.C. Burton, Grand Rapids; Willie Merriweather, Holland.[2]

Reggie Harding, the first high school player ever drafted by the NBA played for Holland. Holland was owned and coached by Gene Schrotenboer and played at the Holland Civic Center.[4][5]

Notable alumni

Midwest Professional Basketball League Franchises (1961-1964)

Battle Creek Warriors 1961-62, 1963–64

East Chicago Bombers 1961-62,
Chicago Bombers 1962-63 to 1963-64

Dayton Little Mickeys 1961-62,
Dayton Mickeys 1962-63

Gary Steelers 1963-64,
Gary Whips 1961-62 to 1962-63

Grand Rapids Tackers 1962-63 to 1963-64

Holland Oilers 1962-63 to 1963-64

Terre Haute All-Stars 1961-62

Toledo Twisters 1961-62,
Toledo Tartans 1962-63 [1]

References

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