Tom Gola
Thomas Joseph Gola (January 13, 1933 – January 26, 2014) was an American basketball player renowned for his collegiate dominance at La Salle University and professional contributions with the Philadelphia Warriors.[1][2] At La Salle, Gola led the Explorers to the 1954 NCAA Tournament championship, earning Tournament Most Valuable Player honors and the consensus National Player of the Year award.[3] His versatility allowed him to excel in multiple positions, amassing over 2,000 points and 2,000 rebounds in college, a feat unique in NCAA history.[4] Selected by the Warriors in the 1955 NBA Draft, Gola contributed to their 1956 NBA championship victory and enjoyed a ten-year professional career averaging 11.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game.[1][5] Gola's legacy earned him induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1976, recognizing him as one of the greatest players in Philadelphia basketball history.[6] Later, he served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1991 to 1999, representing a Philadelphia district.[1]Early Life
Family Background and Childhood
Thomas Joseph Gola was born on January 13, 1933, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the eldest of seven children—three boys and four girls—born to Ike Gola and Helen Gola.[7][6] His father, a Philadelphia policeman of Polish descent, exemplified the immigrant-rooted work ethic common among the city's Polish-American communities during the Great Depression era.[7] The family resided in Philadelphia's Olney neighborhood, where Gola spent his formative years immersed in a blue-collar environment that valued discipline and community ties.[8] Gola's childhood unfolded against the backdrop of mid-20th-century Philadelphia, a hub of ethnic enclaves and emerging urban sports culture, though specific anecdotes from his pre-high school years remain sparsely documented beyond family recollections preserved in biographical accounts.[8] His parents instilled a sense of humility and resilience, traits later attributed to his father's law enforcement career and the challenges of raising a large family in a modest household.[7] Siblings included sisters Wanda Lukas, Joan Wozniak, Catherine Eile, and Claire Kerrigan, with the brothers forming a close-knit group that shared in the rigors of growing up in a bustling industrial city.[9]High School Career
Tom Gola attended La Salle College High School in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania, graduating in 1951.[1][10] There, he established himself as a standout basketball player, earning recognition as a two-time first-team All-Catholic League selection in 1950 and 1951.[11] Over his high school career, Gola amassed 2,222 points, a total that set the Philadelphia city scoring record at the time.[12][13] As a junior in 1950, he averaged 18.6 points per game in league play.[14] His performance drew widespread attention, making him a local celebrity and prompting hundreds of college scholarship offers, which he ultimately declined to stay local.[6] In his senior year of 1951, Gola led La Salle to the Philadelphia Catholic League championship and the city title.[11][9] His versatility allowed him to excel across multiple positions, showcasing quick hands, deceptive speed, and defensive prowess that foreshadowed his collegiate success.[6]College Career
La Salle University Achievements
Tom Gola enrolled at La Salle University in 1951 and played for the Explorers men's basketball team through 1955, contributing to a 102-19 overall record during his tenure.[15] As a sophomore in 1952, he led La Salle to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) championship, sharing co-MVP honors with teammate Norm Grekin.[16] In the 1953-54 season, Gola guided the Explorers to the NCAA Championship, defeating Bradley 92-76 in the final game on March 22, 1954, in Kansas City, Missouri.[17] He earned NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors after scoring 114 points across five tournament games, including 28 in the championship contest.[17][6] The following year, in 1955, La Salle reached the NCAA final but lost to San Francisco, finishing as national runners-up.[16] Gola became the first player in college basketball history to surpass 2,000 points and 2,000 rebounds, accumulating 2,461 points and 2,201 rebounds over 118 games for averages of 20.9 points and 18.7 rebounds per game.[6][18] He achieved 48 consecutive double-doubles from 1953 to 1955, a streak considered unbreakable.[19] Gola received consensus first-team All-American recognition three times and was named National Player of the Year as a senior.[6][16]Records, Honors, and Impact
Gola amassed 2,462 points and 2,201 rebounds over 118 games at La Salle, averaging 20.9 points and 18.7 rebounds per game, becoming the first player in college basketball history to surpass 2,000 in both categories.[4][6] In the 1953–54 season, he led the nation in rebounding with 21.7 per game.[4] Upon graduation, his 2,201 career rebounds set an NCAA record at the time.[4] La Salle compiled a 102–19 record during his four seasons, including undefeated streaks in Philadelphia city series play.[12] ![Tom Gola in 1953][float-right] Gola received four All-America selections from 1952 to 1955, the first modern player to earn the honor annually, and consensus first-team All-American nods in his final three years.[6] He was named the 1955 national player of the year and NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player in 1954 after leading La Salle to the championship.[6][3] As a sophomore in 1952, he co-MVPed the NIT tournament en route to La Salle's title win.[3] Gola's induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1976 recognized his collegiate dominance, where he was often ranked among the greatest players ever for versatile scoring, rebounding, and leadership in elevating a mid-major program to national prominence.[6][11] His achievements inspired subsequent generations at La Salle and underscored the potential for small schools to compete against powerhouses through disciplined play and individual excellence.[18]Professional Career
Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors Tenure
Gola was selected by the Philadelphia Warriors as a territorial pick, third overall, in the 1955 NBA Draft following his college career at La Salle University.[1] In his rookie season of 1955–56, he appeared in 68 games, averaging 10.8 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game while shooting 38.1% from the field.[1] Gola played a key role in the Warriors' NBA Championship victory that year, contributing 12.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game across 10 playoff contests as the team defeated the Fort Wayne Pistons 4–1 in the Finals.[1][20] Gola missed the entire 1956–57 season due to mandatory U.S. Army service.[1] Upon returning in 1957–58, he signed a multi-year contract with the Warriors on September 1, 1957, and averaged 11.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 4.0 assists over 59 games.[21] His performance improved steadily, earning All-NBA Second Team honors in 1958 after posting 12.0 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.[1] Gola reached his statistical peak with the Philadelphia Warriors in 1959–60, averaging 15.0 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in 75 games, while adding 12.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists in nine playoff games during a Western Division Finals loss to the St. Louis Hawks.[1][20] Selected to the NBA All-Star Game in 1960, 1961, and 1962, Gola maintained versatility as a 6-foot-6 forward-guard, providing scoring, rebounding, and playmaking alongside stars like Paul Arizin and Guy Rodgers.[1] Over six full seasons with the Philadelphia Warriors (1955–56 and 1957–62), he accumulated 5,719 points, 4,023 rebounds, and 1,996 assists in 400 regular-season games, appearing in five playoff series.[1] The Warriors relocated to San Francisco for the 1962–63 season. Gola played in 21 games for the franchise that year, averaging 13.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game before being traded to the New York Knicks on December 5, 1962, in exchange for cash and a draft choice.[1][21]New York Knicks Tenure
Gola was traded to the New York Knicks from the San Francisco Warriors prior to the 1962–63 season after the Warriors relocated westward, accommodating his preference to play on the East Coast.[22] Over four seasons from 1962–63 to 1965–66, he appeared in 277 regular-season games, logging 6,858 total minutes while averaging 7.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game with a field goal percentage of 44.6%.[1] His role evolved from starter to reserve, with scoring output declining from 12.0 points per game in his debut Knicks season to 4.4 in 1965–66; per-season statistics are as follows:| Season | Games | Minutes per Game | Points per Game | Rebounds per Game | Assists per Game | Field Goal % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962–63 | 52 | 35.5 | 12.0 | 7.1 | 4.3 | 46.0 |
| 1963–64 | 74 | 29.1 | 9.1 | 6.3 | 3.5 | 42.9 |
| 1964–65 | 77 | 22.4 | 7.0 | 4.1 | 2.9 | 44.8 |
| 1965–66 | 74 | 15.2 | 4.4 | 3.9 | 2.6 | 45.0 |
Overall Statistics and Performance Analysis
Tom Gola appeared in 698 regular-season games across 10 NBA seasons from 1956–57 to 1965–66, split between the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors (seven seasons) and New York Knicks (three seasons).[1] His career per-game averages were 11.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, reflecting a balanced, all-around skill set suited to the era's fast-paced, positionless play.[5][23] Gola shot 43.1% from the field and 76.0% from the free-throw line overall, with no three-point attempts recorded, as the line was introduced after his prime.[21]| Season | Team | GP | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | Warriors/Knicks | 698 | 11.3 | 8.0 | 4.2 | 43.1 | 76.0 |