The Detroit Gems were an American professional basketball team based in Detroit, Michigan. It played one season, 1946–47, in the Western Division of the National Basketball League,[1] a predecessor organization to the National Basketball Association. Following the season, the franchise was sold to Minneapolis to become the Minneapolis Lakers, who are now the Los Angeles Lakers.[2]
| Detroit Gems | |
|---|---|
| Division | Western Division |
| Leagues | National Basketball League |
| Founded | 1946 |
| Folded | 1947 |
| History | Detroit Gems 1946–1947 (NBL) |
| Location | Detroit, Michigan |
History edit
The Gems were a team mostly made up of local players and coached by Joel Mason.[3] It started its season with an exhibition game against the Oshkosh All-Stars,[4] a 54–69 loss.[5] It started its 44-game regular season schedule on 11 November in Anderson, Indiana,[6] with a loss against the Anderson Duffey Packers.[7]
For the season, the Gems won only 4 out of 44 games, finishing last in the league. The franchise was put up for a sale following the season and purchased for US$15,000 by Ben Berger and Morris Chalfen and relocated to Minneapolis to become the Minneapolis Lakers.[8]
References edit
- ^ "National Basketball League roundup". Democrat and Chronicle. 8 September 1946. p. 3C. Retrieved 8 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
Detroit Gems, new Western Division entry, expect to be in a new Forum, being built at Dearborn, Mich., by the middle of the season.
- ^ Stuart London (1 February 2022). "How a pro team in Detroit turned into the Los Angeles Lakers". pistonpowered.com. FanSided. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
- ^ "Home-grown cagers make up Gems' team". Battle Creek Enquirer. 14 October 1946. p. 3. Retrieved 8 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Detroit Gems here for league preview". The Oshkosh Northwestern. 22 October 1946. p. 15. Retrieved 8 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Stars Win third game in succession, beat Detroit, 69-54". The Oshkosh Northwestern. 23 October 1946. p. 17. Retrieved 8 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Court opener". Lansing State Journal. 11 October 1946. p. 17. Retrieved 8 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
The Detroit Gems of the National Basketball League open a 44-game schedule November 11 at Anderson, Ind.
- ^ "Detroit Gems to face Andersons in cage opener". The Sheboygan Press. 9 November 1946. p. 12. Retrieved 8 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Sid Hartman (25 December 1947). "Lakers organization does miracle in just six months". Times, the Picture Paper. p. 31. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
