Arnie Risen
Inducted:
1998
Player Stats
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
Born
October 9, 1924
Williamstown, Kentucky, U.S.
Died
August 4, 2012
Beachwood, Ohio, U.S.
Position
Center
College
Eastern Kentucky (1942–1943)
Ohio State (1943–1945)
Arnie Risen was one of the dominant big men of early professional basketball, known for his scoring touch, rebounding, and strong interior presence. He was a quintessential "winner," capturing two NBA championships in two very different roles: first as the primary star of the Rochester Royals (1951) and later as a veteran mentor and backup to Bill Russell on the Boston Celtics (1957).
In the 1951 Finals, he delivered a legendary performance, leading all players with 24 points and 13 rebounds in the decisive Game 7 to secure Rochester’s only NBA title. When he joined the Celtics in 1955, he voluntarily took a backseat to help integrate a rookie Bill Russell into the league, showcasing the veteran leadership that defined his legacy. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998.
Risen's Awards and Honors
- College Basketball Hall of Fame (2006)
- Ohio State University Hall of Fame (2004)
- Second-team All-American – Helms, Converse (1945)
NBA Records
- 2x NBA Champion (1951, 1957)
- 4x NBA All-Star (1952–1955)
- All-BAA Second Team (1949)
- NBA Field Goal Percentage Leader (1949)
NBA Teams
Rochester Royals (1948–1955)
Boston Celtics (1955–1958)
Number Worn
14, 19
NBA Stats
Seasons
10 (1948–1958)
Games Played
637
Points:
7,633
Rebounds:
5,011
Assists:
1,058
Field Goal(%):
38.1
Free Throw(%):
69.9
Points per game:
12.0
NBA Championships:
2 (1951, 1957)
All-Star Selections:
4 (1952–1955)