Bob Davies
Inducted:
1970
Player Stats
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
Born
January 15, 1920
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died
April 22, 1990
Hilton Head Island,
South Carolina, U.S.
Position
Point guard
College
Seton Hall (1939–1942)
Bob Davies was one of the NBA's earliest great point guards and a pioneer of modern ball-handling. Nicknamed the "Harrisburg Houdini," he dazzled fans with his dribbling, passing, and court vision at a time when creative guard play was still uncommon. Davies starred for the Rochester Royals, leading the franchise to the 1951 NBA Championship while establishing himself as one of the league's premier playmakers.
Before joining the NBA, he also helped Seton Hall become a national power and won two Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) national championships with the Rochester Royals. His leadership and unselfish style helped define the point guard position during professional basketball's early years. Davies was a consistent All-Star and one of the NBA's top assist leaders throughout his career.
In recognition of his outstanding achievements, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1970.
Davies' Awards and Honor
- One of the NBA's first elite point guards
- Led the Rochester Royals to their only NBA championship
- Among the league leaders in assists during the NBA's early years
- No. 11 retired by Seton Hall Pirates
NBA Records
- NBA champion (1951)
- 4× NBA All-Star (1951–1954)
- 4× All-BAA/NBA First Team (1949–1952)
- All-NBA Second Team (1953)
- NBA assists leader (1949)
- NBA 25th Anniversary Team (1971)
- NBL champion (1946)
- NBL Most Valuable Player (1947)
NBA Teams
Rochester Royals (1945–1955)
NBA draft
1950: 1st round, 3rd overall pick
Tri-Cities Blackhawks
Number Worn
11
NBA Records
Seasons:
7 (1949–1955)
Games Played:
462
Points:
6,594 (14.3 ppg)
Assists:
2,250 (4.9 apg)
Rebounds:
980 (2.9 rpg)
Field Goal Percentage:
47.5%
Free Throw Percentage:
71.4%