John Abramovic
John M. Abramovic Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Etna, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | June 9, 2000 (aged 81) |
| Occupation(s) | Professional basketball player, sports official, businessman |
| Years active | 1946–1948 (professional basketball) |
| Known for | First collegiate basketball player to score over 2,000 points; BAA player for Pittsburgh Ironmen, St. Louis Bombers, Baltimore Bullets |
John M. Abramovic Jr. (February 9, 1919 – June 9, 2000) was a professional basketball athlete from the United States. He played in the Basketball Association of America (BAA) representing the Pittsburgh Ironmen, St. Louis Bombers, and Baltimore Bullets franchises. Nicknamed "Brooms," Abramovic subsequently dedicated himself to managing his family's broom manufacturing enterprise.
Early life and collegiate tenure
Originating from Etna, Pennsylvania, Abramovic completed his secondary education in 1937. He initially spent two years employed at his family's broom production facility before receiving a scholarship, facilitated by his high school coach, to attend Salem College (currently Salem University) located in Salem, West Virginia. Between 1939 and 1943, he made history as the first collegiate basketball player to surpass 2,000 points in a career, amassing a total of 2,170 points. His service record includes three years in the United States Navy during the Second World War.
Professional tenure
Abramovic returned to Pennsylvania in 1946 to join the Pittsburgh Ironmen during the inaugural season of the BAA. Over that season, he maintained an average of 11.2 points per game before the team ceased operations. Following one additional season with other BAA teams, he retired from professional play to concentrate on the family broom and mop manufacturing business based in Etna. Beyond his playing career, Abramovic also contributed as an official for high school and collegiate sports for more than a quarter-century.
Recognition and honors
His achievements were recognized with inductions into the West Virginia Sportswriters Hall of Fame in 1971 and later into the Salem University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1984.
BAA career statistics
| Legend | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | Games played | FG% | Field-goal percentage | ||
| FT% | Free-throw percentage | APG | Assists per game | ||
| PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high | ||
Regular season
| Year | Team | GP | FG% | FT% | APG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1946–47 | Pittsburgh Ironmen | 47 | .242 | .691 | .7 | 11.2 |
| 1947–48 | St. Louis Bombers | 4 | .100 | .500 | .3 | 1.0 |
| 1947–48 | Baltimore Bullets | 5 | .000 | .667 | .2 | .4 |
| Career | 56 | .237 | .686 | .7 | 9.5 | |