Philadelphia Sphas
History 1923-1947 (25 seasons)

Teams Philadelphia Sphas

The team's name is an acronym, derived from South Philadelphia Hebrew Association (the group that initially funded the team), and the team's players, at least in its earlier years, were primarily Jewish. 1949 would be the last year the Sphas were affiliated with a league, but thanks to Gottlieb's friendship with Abe Saperstein, president and owner of the Harlem Globetrotters, the Sphas lived on as one of the exhibition teams that the Globetrotters would play, although they would retain only the franchise name, not the Jewish makeup of the team.

1938 Philadelphia Sphas

1923-1947 (25 seasons)

Philadelphia Sphas Team History

All-time franchise record

514-292 (.638)

11 championships in 15 appearances

Franchise History

1934-1947

Philadelphia Sphas (ABL)

1930-1933

Philadelphia Sphas (EBL2)

1927-1928

Philadelphia Warriors (ABL1)

1926-1929

Philadelphia Sphas (indep.)

1923-1925

Philadelphia Sphas (PBL2)

Top Seasons

Year Record Result

1946 21-13 Lost ABL Championship

1945 22-8 Won ABL Championship

1944 8-4 Lost ABL Championship

1943 8-6 Won ABL Championship

1941 11-4 Won ABL Championship

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Last 5 Seasons

Year Record Result

1947 19-14 Lost Semi-Finals

1946 21-13 Lost ABL Championship

1945 22-8 Won ABL Championship

1944 12-14 Lost ABL Championship

1943 8-6 Won ABL Championship

View All Sphas Seasons

Recap

Philadelphia Sphas Team History

Franchise History

Top Seasons

Last 5 Seasons

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