Recap
The Chicago Pro Tournament, which had become a major event during the past half-dozen years, took on an added significance in the spring of 1946 with the appearance of much-heralded DePaul rookie George Mikan with the Chicago Gears. After victories in the preliminary rounds, the Gears lost Mikan on fouls early in the third period of their semi-final game against Sheboygan. Chicago was in control of the game 48-40 at the time of Mikan’s departure, but without the big man lost 72-66. In the other semifinal, Fort Wayne eked out a 50-49 win over ABL champion Baltimore by going into a stall late in the contest. Fort Wayne then claimed its third straight Pro title by taking two of three games from NBL rival Sheboygan.
