Herbert Aleksander Juhan Niiler (27 April 1905 – 13 April 1982) was an Estonian American basketball player and coach.

Herbert Niiler
Personal information
Born(1905-04-27)27 April 1905
Tallinn
Died13 April 1982(1982-04-13) (aged 76)
Zelienople, Pennsylvania
NationalityEstonian
Career history
As coach:
Tartu NMKÜ
Tartu Kalev
1929–1940Estonia

Niiler was born in Tallinn.[1] He received a degree in physical education from Springfield College in 1928[2] and then introduced basketball to Estonia.[1] He coached the Estonia men's national basketball team in the 1936 Summer Olympics,[1] where the team placed 9th. He also led Estonia to EuroBasket 1937 and EuroBasket 1939, finishing both in 5th place.[3]

In 1945, he fled from the Soviet occupation with his family via Sweden and Germany to the United States, where they resided in Pittsburgh from 1949 onward.[2][4]

Niiler died at North Hills Passavant Hospital in 1982.[1]

Family

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Oceanographer Pearn P. Niiler is his son.[1]

References and notes

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Herbert Niiler, 76, Dies, Ex-Official of Youth Camp". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. April 16, 1982. p. 23. Retrieved March 13, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.  
  2. ^ a b "DP Life Over, Family of 9 to Stay Here". Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph. Pittsburgh, PA. October 15, 1949. p. 3. Retrieved March 14, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.  
  3. ^ "Season 1939". FIBA Europe. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  4. ^ "NIILER, HERBERT". ESBL. Retrieved 20 July 2015.