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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.
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Indianapolis Jets logo

Indianapolis Jets
History 1933-1949 (17 seasons)

  • Franchise Overview
  • Seasons
  • Audio & Video Clips
  • Stories & Photos
  • Collectibles
  • Head Coaches
  • General Managers
  • Owners
  • Logo History
  • Links Wikipedia
Teams Indiana Indianapolis Jets
In 1931 Frank Kautsky, an Indianapolis grocer, formed a professional basketball team and named it the Indianapolis Kautskys. After playing in the Midwest Basketball Conference (1932–33) and the National Basketball League (1935–37), the Kautskys became one of the original members of the newly-formed National Basketball League (NBL) in 1937. 1946-47 was the best season for the franchise; led by Arnie Risen, they set the franchise mark for most wins (27) and won the World Professional Basketball Tournament. With the Minneapolis Lakers, Rochester Royals, and Fort Wayne Pistons, the team moved to the Basketball Association of America (BAA) for the 1948–49 season. At that time the team's name was changed to the Indianapolis Jets because the BAA prevented its teams from having commercial sponsors, similar to how the Fort Wayne Pistons removed the Zollner sponsor from their original name. Following the 1948-49 season, the Jets folded. This coincided with the BAA and the NBL merging to form the National Basketball Association (NBA). For the 1949-50 season, a new Indianapolis franchise, the Indianapolis Olympians, was created.
In 1931 Frank Kautsky, an Indianapolis grocer, formed a professional basketball team and named it the Indianapolis Kautskys. After playing in the Midwest Basketball Conference (1932–33) and the National Basketball League (1935–37), the Kautskys became one of the original members of the newly-formed National Basketball League (NBL) in 1937. 1946-47 was the best season for the franchise; led by Arnie Risen, they set the franchise mark for most wins (27) and won the World Professional Basketball Tournament. With the Minneapolis Lakers, Rochester Royals, and Fort Wayne Pistons, the team moved to the Basketball Association of America (BAA) for the 1948–49 season. At that time the team's name was changed to the Indianapolis Jets because the BAA prevented its teams from having commercial sponsors, similar to how the Fort Wayne Pistons removed the Zollner sponsor from their original name. Following the 1948-49 season, the Jets folded. This coincided with the BAA and the NBL merging to form the National Basketball Association (NBA). For the 1949-50 season, a new Indianapolis franchise, the Indianapolis Olympians, was created.

Recap

In 1931 Frank Kautsky, an Indianapolis grocer, formed a professional basketball team and named it the Indianapolis Kautskys. After playing in the Midwest Basketball Conference (1932–33) and the National Basketball League (1935–37), the Kautskys became one of the original members of the newly-formed National Basketball League (NBL) in 1937.

1946-47 was the best season for the franchise; led by Arnie Risen, they set the franchise mark for most wins (27) and won the World Professional Basketball Tournament.

With the Minneapolis Lakers, Rochester Royals, and Fort Wayne Pistons, the team moved to the Basketball Association of America (BAA) for the 1948–49 season. At that time the team's name was changed to the Indianapolis Jets because the BAA prevented its teams from having commercial sponsors, similar to how the Fort Wayne Pistons removed the Zollner sponsor from their original name.

Following the 1948-49 season, the Jets folded. This coincided with the BAA and the NBL merging to form the National Basketball Association (NBA). For the 1949-50 season, a new Indianapolis franchise, the Indianapolis Olympians, was created.

Close
1941 Indianapolis Kautskys
1933-1949 (17 seasons)

Indianapolis Jets Team History

All-time franchise record
138-184 (.429)
1 championships in 2 appearances

Franchise History

1949
Indianapolis Jets (BAA)
1938-1948
Indianapolis Kautskys (NBL)
1936-1937
Indianapolis Kautskys (MBC)
1934-1945
Indianapolis Kautskys (indep.)
1933
Indianapolis Kautskys (NPBL2)

Top Seasons

Year Record Result
1948 24-35 Lost Western Quarter-Finals
1947 27-17 Lost NBL Western Quarter-Finals
Won World Pro Basketball Tournament
1947 3-0 Won World Pro Basketball Tournament
1942 12-11 Lost Semi-Finals
1936 9-3 Lost Championship
View More Jets Seasons

Last 5 Seasons

Year Record Result
1949 18-42 Missed Playoffs
1948 24-35 Lost Western Quarter-Finals
1947 27-17 Lost NBL Western Quarter-Finals
Won World Pro Basketball Tournament
1946 10-22 Missed Playoffs
1945 Did Not Play
View All Jets Seasons

Longest Serving GM's

Tenure Years General Manager
1933-48 16 Frank Kautsky
1949 1 William Hale
View All Jets General Managers

Team Owners

Tenure Years Owner
1949 1 Paul A. Walk
1933-48 16 Frank Kautsky
View All Jets Owners

Related Content

Stories, Photos, Videos, Podcasts, and Publications featuring Indianapolis Jets History
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Jets History

  • Franchise Overview
  • Seasons
  • Audio & Video Clips
  • Stories & Photos
  • Collectibles
  • Head Coaches
  • General Managers
  • Owners
  • Logo History
  • Links Wikipedia
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