Ken Pryor

Ken Pryor (December 12, 1924 – August 31, 2010) was an American basketball player. He is known both for his college career at the University of Oklahoma and his play in the Amateur Athletic Union during an era when it was seen as a viable alternative to professional basketball.

Ken Pryor
Pryor with the Phillips 66ers.
Personal information
Born(1924-12-12)December 12, 1924
Wirt, Oklahoma
DiedAugust 31, 2010(2010-08-31) (aged 85)
NationalityAmerican
Career information
High schoolCapitol Hill (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
CollegeOklahoma (1943–1947)
PositionGuard
Number29, 25
Career history
1949–1952Phillips 66ers
Career highlights and awards

Pryor was a three-sport star at Capitol Hill High School in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. We went to the University of Oklahoma to play for future Hall of Fame coach Bruce Drake. While there, he was a first team All-Big Six Conference pick in the 1943–44 season.[1]

After taking time off to serve in the United States Navy during World War II, Pryor returned to the Sooners. In his final season of 1946–47, Pryor was a member of the Oklahoma's 1947 Final Four team. Pryor hit one of the biggest shots in Sooner basketball history as his jump shot with ten seconds remaining lifted the team over Texas and into the national championship game. Oklahoma lost to Holy Cross in the contest.[2]

Following his college career, Pryor went to play for the AAU power Phillips 66ers. He earned AAU All-American honors in 1951 and 1952. He later worked for the oil company and ran his own insurance agency.[2]

References
  1. 1995-96 Big Eight men's basketball media guide, page 56
  2. Tramel, Berry (September 2, 2010). "Ken Pryor, hero in OU's 1947 NCAA basketball victory, dies at 85". The Oklahoman. Retrieved January 30, 2014.
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