Last Updated on September 10, 2024 by Mathew Diekhake

Here’s a detailed profile of Bobby Wanzer:

  • Full Name: Robert Francis “Bobby” Wanzer
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born on June 4, 1921, Bobby Wanzer passed away on January 23, 2016, at the age of 94.
  • Hometown: Brooklyn, New York, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 0 inches (183 cm)
  • Weight: 180 pounds (82 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 2 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 11 (US)
  • Jersey Numbers: Wore #9 throughout his NBA career.
  • Position: Point Guard / Shooting Guard
  • High School: Benjamin Franklin High School in New York, New York
  • College: Seton Hall University (played from 1942–1943, then served in World War II, and returned to college in 1946-1947)
  • NBA Draft: Bobby Wanzer was not drafted through the modern NBA Draft system. He was signed by the Rochester Royals in 1948.
  • Teams Played For:
    • Rochester Royals (1948–1957) — Wanzer played his entire career with this team, which later became the Sacramento Kings.
  • Championship Rings: 1× NBA Champion (1951) with the Rochester Royals.
  • Coaching Career: After retiring as a player, Wanzer also became a coach for the Royals (1955–1959), serving as a player-coach for part of his tenure.
  • Kids:
    • Bobby Wanzer had four children:
    • Robert Wanzer
    • Susan Wanzer
    • Joanne Wanzer
    • Barbara Wanzer
  • Siblings:
  • Information about his siblings is not widely publicized.

Bobby Wanzer was a pioneer in the NBA, known for his shooting and defensive skills. He was one of the first players to shoot over 90% from the free-throw line in a season. Wanzer was also one of the earliest players to combine playing and coaching. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987, recognizing his contributions to the game.