John O’Brien
Inducted:
1961
Stats
Born
November 4, 1888
Brooklyn, New York
Died:
December 9, 1967
Oceanside, New York
Position:
Contributor
College:
NA
John J. O’Brien was a pioneering basketball executive, referee, coach, and league organizer who played a major role in the development of professional basketball in the eastern United States. Born in Brooklyn in 1888, O’Brien helped establish the Inter-State League in 1914 and later founded the Metropolitan Basketball League in 1925, which eventually featured the Original Celtics.
He served as president of the Metropolitan League for much of the period from 1928 through 1953 and was instrumental in bringing several of its teams into the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1928. O’Brien then served as ABL president from 1928 to 1946 and later chaired its board until the league folded after the 1952–53 season. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1961 as a Contributor.
O’Brien's Awards and Honors
- Helped form the Inter-State League in 1914
- Founded the Metropolitan Basketball League in 1925
- Served as president of the Metropolitan Basketball League
- Served as president of the American Basketball League from 1928 to 1946
- Remained ABL board chairman until the league folded after the 1952–53 season
- Owned and coached the Brooklyn Pros
NBA Position
As President/Chairman
Metropolitan Basketball League
NBA Stats
Role:
Contributor
Inter-State League:
Co-founder, 1914
Metropolitan Basketball League:
Founder, 1925
ABL President:
1928–1946
ABL Board Chairman:
1952–53