Last Updated on April 14, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here is the detailed information about Arnie Risen, a former professional basketball player:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Arnold D. Risen
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Passed away at 87 (born October 9, 1924 – died August 4, 2012)
  • Hometown: Williamstown, Kentucky, USA
  • Height: 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
  • Weight: 210 lbs (95 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 10 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 16 (US)
  • Number: Wore jersey numbers 14, 16, and 19
  • Position: Center / Power forward
  • High School: Williamstown High School (Williamstown, Kentucky)
  • College: Ohio State University (1943–1945)
  • NBA Draft: Not applicable (as the NBA draft system as it exists today was not fully in place at the time of his entry into professional basketball)
  • Teams Played For:
    • Rochester Royals (1948–1955)
    • Boston Celtics (1955–1958)
  • Championship Rings:
    • 2 NBA Championships:
    • 1951 with the Rochester Royals
    • 1957 with the Boston Celtics
  • Accolades:
    • NBA All-Star: 4-time NBA All-Star (1952, 1953, 1954, 1955)
    • Risen was known for his physical play and scoring ability in the paint.
    • Played a pivotal role in helping the Rochester Royals win the 1951 NBA Championship, their only title in franchise history.
    • After joining the Celtics in 1955, Risen became a key veteran presence on the team, helping the franchise win its first of many championships in 1957.
    • Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1998.
    • Risen was one of the premier big men of his era, known for his scoring, rebounding, and leadership on the court.
  • Kids: Two sons, Michael and Mark Risen
  • Siblings: Information about siblings is not widely available

Arnie Risen’s player archetype was that of an early-era interior anchor, a big-bodied center who controlled the paint with size, rebounding, and steady scoring around the basket. Defensively, he served as a back-line presence who protected the lane, battled opposing centers on the glass, and used positioning more than flashy mobility to hold his ground. Offensively, Risen worked as a low-post finisher and interior focal point, giving Rochester reliable paint production while also creating second-chance value through offensive rebounds. At 6-foot-9 and about 200 pounds, he was long and imposing for his time, and his overall play style reflected the classic old-school center mold: physical, efficient near the rim, dependable on the boards, and central to winning teams in the league’s formative years.

Sources:

Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame — Arnie Risen
NBA.com — Arnie Risen | Center | Rochester Royals
NBA.com — Season Review: 1950-51
NBA.com — Sacramento Kings’ NBA Championships