Joe Graboski was a professional basketball player who played for several teams during his career. He was born on January 15, 1930, in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania, and attended the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Graboski began his professional career in 1950 when he was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the second round of the NBA draft. He played for the Celtics for two seasons before being traded to the Milwaukee Hawks in 1952. He played for the Hawks for one season before being traded to the Fort Wayne Pistons in 1953.
Graboski played for the Pistons for four seasons and was a key player on the team that won the NBA championship in 1955. He was known for his rebounding and defense and was often tasked with guarding the opposing team's best player.
In 1957, Graboski was traded to the New York Knicks, where he played for two seasons before being traded to the Philadelphia Warriors in 1959. He played for the Warriors for one season before being traded back to the Knicks in 1960.
Graboski played for the Knicks for two more seasons before retiring from professional basketball in 1962. Over the course of his career, he averaged 7.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per game.
After retiring from basketball, Graboski went on to work in the insurance industry. He also served as the president of the NBA Retired Players Association and was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 1982.
Overall, Joe Graboski had a successful career as a professional basketball player, playing for several teams and winning an NBA championship with the Fort Wayne Pistons in 1955. He was known for his rebounding and defense and was a key player on several teams throughout his career.
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