American · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · Born 13 January 1933American college basketball legend who led La Salle to 1954 NCAA Championship and later played professionally in NBA for Philadelphia Warriors and 76ers.
Thomas Joseph Gola was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1933. He attended La Salle University and became one of the most complete college basketball players in history. He won the national championship in 1954 and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. He was a four-time All-American — one of the very few players to earn that distinction in each of his four college seasons. He averaged 20.9 points and 19.0 rebounds per game across his career — the rebounding average among the highest in college basketball history. He was the complete player of his era — capable of scoring, rebounding, defending and passing with equal effectiveness. Philadelphia Warriors selected him in the first round of the 1955 NBA Draft. He went on to win the NBA championship with the Warriors in 1956 and later the New York Knicks. He served as a state representative in Pennsylvania after his basketball career. His La Salle career — four All-American selections, one national championship — is the most decorated in the school's history and one of the finest four-year careers in the early decades of college basketball.
Leading La Salle University to the 1954 NCAA championship while becoming the first player in college basketball history to accumulate over 2,000 points and 2,000 rebounds.
How They Played
Gola was a versatile 6'6" forward who could play multiple positions effectively, combining excellent court vision with strong rebounding ability. He possessed exceptional basketball IQ and was known for his unselfish play, leadership qualities, and ability to fill up the stat sheet in all categories. His size and skill set made him equally effective scoring, rebounding, and facilitating for teammates.
Lasting Impact
Gola is considered one of the greatest college basketball players of all time and helped establish La Salle as a national basketball powerhouse during the 1950s. His well-rounded statistical achievements and championship success set a standard for future college stars.
Career Honours
- National Championship (1954)
- All-American 4x
- Tournament MOP (1954)
- Oscar Robertson Trophy namesake era
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| La Salle Explorers | 1951–1955 | 118 |
American Athletes