Professional Basketball Player. Sailors is widely-credited with devising the "jump shot" which revolutionized the game of basketball. For five seasons (1946 to 1951), he played at the guard position in the Basketball Association of America and National Basketball Association with the Cleveland Rebels, Chicago Stags, Philadelphia Warriors, Providence Steam Rollers, Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics and Baltimore Bullets. Born Kenneth L. Sailors, he made his initial mark on the hardwood court while attending Laramie High School in Wyoming. He continued his athletics on the collegiate level at the University of Wyoming and distinguished himself nationally, when he led the Cowboys to the NCAA Championship in 1943. He received Most Valuable Player honors during the tournament and was named Collegiate Player of the Year for 1943. His studies were interrupted while he served with the United States Marine Corps with who he attained the rank of captain during World War II. Following his return home, he resumed his basketball accomplishments and earned All-American honors for the third-time (1942, 1946 and 1946), while receiving his Bachelors Degree in Education. He began his professional career with the Cleveland Rebels of the BAA and contributed to the early years of the National Basketball Association. After retiring from basketball, he moved to Alaska where he worked as a hunting and fishing guide. He was inducted into the University of Wyoming Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993 and was enshrined in the Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. He suffered a heart attack in December of 2015 and had been in declining health until his death.
Professional Basketball Player. Sailors is widely-credited with devising the "jump shot" which revolutionized the game of basketball. For five seasons (1946 to 1951), he played at the guard position in the Basketball Association of America and National Basketball Association with the Cleveland Rebels, Chicago Stags, Philadelphia Warriors, Providence Steam Rollers, Denver Nuggets, Boston Celtics and Baltimore Bullets. Born Kenneth L. Sailors, he made his initial mark on the hardwood court while attending Laramie High School in Wyoming. He continued his athletics on the collegiate level at the University of Wyoming and distinguished himself nationally, when he led the Cowboys to the NCAA Championship in 1943. He received Most Valuable Player honors during the tournament and was named Collegiate Player of the Year for 1943. His studies were interrupted while he served with the United States Marine Corps with who he attained the rank of captain during World War II. Following his return home, he resumed his basketball accomplishments and earned All-American honors for the third-time (1942, 1946 and 1946), while receiving his Bachelors Degree in Education. He began his professional career with the Cleveland Rebels of the BAA and contributed to the early years of the National Basketball Association. After retiring from basketball, he moved to Alaska where he worked as a hunting and fishing guide. He was inducted into the University of Wyoming Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993 and was enshrined in the Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. He suffered a heart attack in December of 2015 and had been in declining health until his death.
Bio by: C.S.
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