Hall of Fame College Basketball Player, Olympic Games Gold Medalist Athlete. At the age of eighteen, he peaked at the height of 6 feet 10 inches when he began his collegiate basketball years at Oklahoma A&M. Coached by Henry Iba, he was first skeptical of Kurland's abilities believing his size would limit what he was able to do. After great perseverance, he became one of the most dominating players during his era. Kurland was a major contributor to two NCAA Tournament Titles (1945 and 1946) and earned All-American status three-times (1944, 1945 and 1946). He became the first player to be named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament twice. In addition, he was named Helms Foundation player of the Year in 1946. His success at the collegiate level earned him a place on the United States Olympic Basketball Team and he went onto contribute to their capturing of the Gold Medal in the 1948 Summer Games in London, England and 1952 Summer Games in Helsinki, Finland. Selected by the St. Louis Bombers during the 1947 National Basketball League Draft, Kurland would forgo a professional basketball career and opted to play for the Phillips Petroleum's Amateur Athletic Union team, the 66ers (also known as the Oilers) with who he experienced three national titles. After retiring from basketball, he remained as an employee with Phillips. For his significant contributions to the sport, Kurland was enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1961. He is also a member of the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and the College Basketball Hall of Fame.
Hall of Fame College Basketball Player, Olympic Games Gold Medalist Athlete. At the age of eighteen, he peaked at the height of 6 feet 10 inches when he began his collegiate basketball years at Oklahoma A&M. Coached by Henry Iba, he was first skeptical of Kurland's abilities believing his size would limit what he was able to do. After great perseverance, he became one of the most dominating players during his era. Kurland was a major contributor to two NCAA Tournament Titles (1945 and 1946) and earned All-American status three-times (1944, 1945 and 1946). He became the first player to be named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament twice. In addition, he was named Helms Foundation player of the Year in 1946. His success at the collegiate level earned him a place on the United States Olympic Basketball Team and he went onto contribute to their capturing of the Gold Medal in the 1948 Summer Games in London, England and 1952 Summer Games in Helsinki, Finland. Selected by the St. Louis Bombers during the 1947 National Basketball League Draft, Kurland would forgo a professional basketball career and opted to play for the Phillips Petroleum's Amateur Athletic Union team, the 66ers (also known as the Oilers) with who he experienced three national titles. After retiring from basketball, he remained as an employee with Phillips. For his significant contributions to the sport, Kurland was enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1961. He is also a member of the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and the College Basketball Hall of Fame.
Bio by: C.S.
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