Detroit Gems

The Detroit Gems were an American professional basketball team based in Detroit, Michigan. It played one season, 1946–47, in the Western Division of the National Basketball League,[1] a predecessor organization to the National Basketball Association. Following the season, the franchise was sold to Minneapolis to become the Minneapolis Lakers, who are now the Los Angeles Lakers.[2]

"Walt Czarnecki" redirects here. For the vice chairman of Team Penske, see Team Penske.
Detroit Gems
DivisionWestern Division
LeaguesNational Basketball League
Founded1946
Folded1947
HistoryDetroit Gems
1946–1947 (NBL)
LocationDetroit, Michigan

History

The Gems were a team mostly made up of local players and coached by Joel Mason.[3] It started its season with an exhibition game against the Oshkosh All-Stars,[4] a 54–69 loss.[5] It started its 44-game regular season schedule on 11 November in Anderson, Indiana,[6] with a loss against the Anderson Duffey Packers.[7]

For the season, the Gems won only 4 out of 44 games, finishing last in the league. The franchise was put up for a sale following the season and purchased for US$15,000 by Ben Berger and Morris Chalfen and relocated to Minneapolis to become the Minneapolis Lakers.[8]

References
  1. "National Basketball League roundup". Democrat and Chronicle. 8 September 1946. p. 3C. Retrieved 8 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com. Detroit Gems, new Western Division entry, expect to be in a new Forum, being built at Dearborn, Mich., by the middle of the season.closed access
  2. Stuart London (1 February 2022). "How a pro team in Detroit turned into the Los Angeles Lakers". pistonpowered.com. FanSided. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  3. "Home-grown cagers make up Gems' team". Battle Creek Enquirer. 14 October 1946. p. 3. Retrieved 8 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.open access
  4. "Detroit Gems here for league preview". The Oshkosh Northwestern. 22 October 1946. p. 15. Retrieved 8 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Stars Win third game in succession, beat Detroit, 69-54". The Oshkosh Northwestern. 23 October 1946. p. 17. Retrieved 8 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Court opener". Lansing State Journal. 11 October 1946. p. 17. Retrieved 8 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com. The Detroit Gems of the National Basketball League open a 44-game schedule November 11 at Anderson, Ind.
  7. "Detroit Gems to face Andersons in cage opener". The Sheboygan Press. 9 November 1946. p. 12. Retrieved 8 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. Sid Hartman (25 December 1947). "Lakers organization does miracle in just six months". Times, the Picture Paper. p. 31. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
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