1945 WPBT Season
Related Content
Stories, Photos, Videos, Podcasts, and Publications featuring World Professional Basketball Tournament 1945 SeasonF i l t e r & S o r t Filter & Sort
RetroSeasons
RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
World Professional Basketball Tournament (WPBT)
1944-45 WPBT Tournament Overview
Fort Wayne moved into Chicago, heavily-favored to complete the sweep of the National League and Chicago Pro Tourney titles for the second consecutive year. The Pistons proceeded to the finals without any serious competition where they faced the Dayton Acmes, a dark horse challenger, comprised of servicemen stationed at Wright Field. The Acmes, featuring the scoring of Bruce Hale and rebounding of John Mahnken, were the surprise team of the tournament moving into the finals by routing the Chicago Gears 80-51. The Pistons were unimpressed and with their fast-break working to perfection, crushed the servicemen 78-52. The Pistons were firmly established as the best team in professional basketball.