Arnold D. "Arnie" Risen
Compared to George Mikan and the big, burly power players of the late 1940s and early 1950s, Arnie Risen, a 6-foot-9-inch, 210-pound beanpole, appeared to be at a physical disadvantage. But during the NBA's formative years, Risen was a big scorer, a rugged rebounder, and an all-around versatile player. Known as "Stilts," Risen led the league in field goal percentage while finishing as the fourth leading scorer in 1949. Risen played 13 professional seasons after starring at Ohio State - more than two with Indianapolis of the National Basketball League, over seven with Rochester of the NBL/BAA/NBA, and three with the NBA's Boston Celtics. In a five-year span from 1950 to 1955, the lanky center averaged a double-double in points and rebounds, becoming one of the game's most consistent performers. The 1950-51 season saw Risen rank in the top ten in both points and rebounds. Risen scored 24 points in Rochester's game seven win over the New York Knicks in the 1951 NBA Finals.
