Midwest Professional Basketball League

The Midwest Professional Basketball League was a professional basketball league. The six team league existed for three seasons, playing from 1961–1962 through 1963–1964 until the league folded after the 1964 season.[1]

Midwest Professional Basketball League
SportBasketball
Founded1961
Ceased1964
No. of teams6
CountryUnited States
Last
champion(s)		Gary Whips (1961-1962)
Holland Oilers (1962-1963)
Grand Rapids Tackers (1963-1964)

History and Franchises

The league was composed of six teams per season, The founding teams (1961-1962) were: Battle Creek Warriors, Dayton Little Mickeys, East Chicago Bombers, Gary Whips, Terre Haute All-Stars and Toledo Twisters. The Whips had the best league record at 9-4.[2]

In 1962-1963, Battle Creek and Terre Haute did not have teams, replaced by Holland and Grand Rapids. The second season teams therefore were: Chicago Bombers, Dayton Mickeys, Grand Rapids Tackers, Gary Whips, Holland Oilers and Toledo Tartans. Holland defeated Toledo for the MPBL Championship.[2]

In 1963-1964, the league fielded five teams and dropped to four, with the season divided into halves. Gary folded after the first half. The five beginning teams were: Battle Creek Warriors, Chicago Bombers, Gary Steelers, Grand Rapids Tackers and Holland Oilers. Grand Rapids won both halves and played the Allentown Jets of the Eastern Professional Basketball League in a post season championship. Allentown won 128-126.[2][3]

League Notes

The 1963-1964 Most Valuable Player was Nick Mantis of Grand Rapids.[2]

The 1962-1963 First Team was: Charlie North, Grand Rapids; Willie Merriweather, Holland; M.C. Burton, Toledo; George Knighton, Dayton; Floyd Campbell, Gary.[2]

The 1963-1964 First Team was:Nick Mantis, Grand Rapids; Ed Burton, Holland; Willie Lee Bond, Chicago; M.C. Burton, Grand Rapids; Willie Merriweather, Holland.[2]

Reggie Harding, the first high school player ever drafted by the NBA played for Holland. Holland was owned and coached by Gene Schrotenboer and played at the Holland Civic Center.[4][5]

Notable alumni

Midwest Professional Basketball League Franchises (1961-1964)

Battle Creek Warriors 1961-62, 1963–64

East Chicago Bombers 1961-62,
Chicago Bombers 1962-63 to 1963-64

Dayton Little Mickeys 1961-62,
Dayton Mickeys 1962-63

Gary Steelers 1963-64,
Gary Whips 1961-62 to 1962-63

Grand Rapids Tackers 1962-63 to 1963-64

Holland Oilers 1962-63 to 1963-64

Terre Haute All-Stars 1961-62

Toledo Twisters 1961-62,
Toledo Tartans 1962-63 [1]

References
  1. "Significant Professional Basketball League". www.apbr.org.
  2. "Midwest Professional Basketball League Yearly Standings". www.apbr.org.
  3. "The 1964 Interleague Championship Game Allentown Jets (EPBL) v. Grand Rapids Tackers (Midwest League) (1964) – CBA – Eastern League Museum".
  4. March 25, Chris; Reply, 2013 at 3:21 pm (18 January 2013). "Gone But Not Forgotten – Defunct Sports Teams of West Michigan – Part 1".
  5. Consulting, Fine Line Websites & IT; Review, The Draft. "MPBL". The Draft Review.
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