Youngstown Bears

The Youngstown Bears were a professional basketball team based in Youngstown, Ohio.[1] They played two seasons (1945–1947) in the National Basketball League, before disbanding due to rising costs in fielding teams. [1]

The team had begun as the Pittsburgh Raiders with local players coming home from World War II in 1944. Joe Urso was the player coach. Unsuccessful with a 7-23 record, the team found backers in Youngstown. Playing in the National Basketball League's 1945-46 season, the Bears included local star Leo Mogus, later of NBA play, noted pro Frankie Baumholtz and Press Maravich, future noted college coach and father to NBA legend Pete Maravich, among others. Their team had a 13-20 record. Regrouping for a try the following season, the Bears were challenged by an expanding League, and a resulting demand for top players. That year, another top pro league, the BAA, also started up as well. Mogus and Baumholtz jumped to the BAA to play for Cleveland. Maravich jumped to the BAA to play for Pittsburgh. Coach Birch also jumped leagues to coach the BAA Pittsburgh team. So, four key figures they were outbid for. The Bears' 12-32 team in 1946-47 was their last.

## References

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1. ^ a b "Youngstown Bears". Ohio History Central. Retrieved 8 January 2016.

## External links

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* Youngstown Bears at Basketball-Reference.com
* Youngstown Bears Complete History at NBA Hoops Online

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