Howard Cann Hall of Fame NBA

Howard Cann was a versatile athlete and accomplished basketball coach whose influence extended across several decades of the sport's early history. Cann built his hall-of-fame legacy over 35 seasons as the head coach at New York University (NYU) from 1923 to 1958.

A remarkably versatile athlete who won a national championship as an NYU player and represented the United States as a shot putter in the 1920 Antwerp Olympics, Cann returned to his alma mater to become a founding architect of New York City college basketball. Under his guidance, NYU grew into a national powerhouse, advancing to the 1945 NCAA title game and the 1948 NIT final. Cann played a crucial role in bringing college basketball to Madison Square Garden and developed major stars, including NBA Hall of Famer Dolph Schayes.

For his tactical excellence and decades of leadership, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach in 1968.

Cann's Awards and Honor

• Helms championship (1935)
• 5 Metropolitan New York Conference (1934, 1938, 1946, 1948, 1957)
• National Coach of the Year (1947)
• NCAA Tournament Runner-Up (1945)
• NIT Runner-Up (1948)
• Helms Athletic Foundation Player of the Year (1920-as player)
• AAU National Champion (1920-as player)

NBA Teams 

NYU (1923–1958)