Bobby Wanzer
Rochester & Cincinnati Royals Head Coach | 1951 NBA Champion | Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Bobby Wanzer was born on June 4, 1921, in Brooklyn, New York. He played college basketball at Seton Hall University before beginning his professional career with the Rochester Royals.
Wanzer spent 9 seasons as a player with the Royals and helped the franchise win the 1951 NBA championship. He became a 5-time NBA All-Star and was later inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 1987.
Wanzer became the Royals head coach in 1955 while he was still an active player. He coached the franchise in both Rochester and Cincinnati before leaving during the 1958-1959 season.
Coach Wanzer passed away on January 23, 2016, at the age of 94.
- Overall Coaching Record: 98-136
Coaching Career
Bobby Wanzer was hired as head coach of the Rochester Royals on April 28, 1955, succeeding Les Harrison.
Wanzer served as a player-coach during his first 2 seasons. Rochester finished 31-41 in both 1955-1956 and 1956-1957 and missed the playoffs in each season.
The 1956-1957 season became Wanzer’s final year as an NBA player. The Royals relocated from Rochester to Cincinnati following the season.
Notable Players Coached
- Maurice Stokes
- Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
- 3× NBA All-Star
- 1956 NBA Rookie of the Year
- Jack Twyman
- Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
- 6× NBA All-Star
Wanzer remained head coach when the Royals moved to Cincinnati for the 1957-1958 season.
Cincinnati went 33-39 and finished third in the Western Division. The Royals reached the playoffs but were swept by the Detroit Pistons in the Western Division Semifinals.
Wanzer returned for the 1958-1959 season but the Royals started 3-15. He was fired on December 1, 1958, and replaced by Tom Marshall.
Wanzer finished his NBA head coaching career with a 98-136 regular-season record and an 0-2 playoff record.
Notable Players Coached
- Jack Twyman
- Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
- 6× NBA All-Star
- Wayne Embry
- Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor
- 5× NBA All-Star as player