Forrest DeBernardi Hall of Fame NBA

Forrest “Red” DeBernardi was one of the dominant basketball players of the 1920s and one of the finest centers of the pre-NBA era. Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall, he was an exceptionally versatile player who could play all five positions. DeBernardi starred at Westminster College before becoming a major force in Amateur Athletic Union basketball.

From 1920 to 1929, he competed in 10 national AAU tournaments and was named an AAU All-American seven times. He was a member of five AAU national championship teams and became one of the most successful players of his era. In 1938, the Associated Press selected him as the center on its All-Time All-America college basketball team.

He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1961 as a player.

DeBernardi's Awards and Honors

• 5× AAU National Champion (1921, 1926–1929)
• 7× AAU All-American
• 2× Helms All-American (1920, 1921)
• 2× First-Team All-MIAA (1920, 1921)
• AP All-Time All-America College Basketball Team (1938)
• Played all five positions despite primarily being known as a center
• Associated Press as the center on its All-Time All-America college basketball team in 1938

NBA Teams

Kansas City AC (1920–1922)
Hillyard Shine Alls (1922–1927)
Cook's Painter Boys (1927–1929)