Nick Mantis
Nicholas "Nick" Mantis (December 7, 1935 – August 13, 2017) was an American-Greek professional basketball player.[1]
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 7, 1935 East Chicago, Indiana |
| Died | August 13, 2017 (aged 81) Schererville, Indiana |
| Nationality | American / Greek |
| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Listed weight | 190 lb (86 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Washington (East Chicago, Indiana) |
| College | Northwestern (1956–1959) |
| NBA draft | 1959 / Round: 5 / Pick: 37th overall |
| Selected by the St. Louis Hawks | |
| Playing career | 1960–1964 |
| Position | Shooting guard |
| Number | 16, 11, 23 |
| Career history | |
| 1960 | Minneapolis Lakers |
| 1961–1962 | Kansas City Steers |
| 1962 | St. Louis Hawks |
| 1962–1963 | Chicago Zephyrs |
| 1962–1964 | Grand Rapids Tackers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 236 |
| Rebounds | 91 |
| Assists | 92 |
| Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
College career
After having a standout career as a high school player at East Chicago Washington High, while playing for head coach Johnny Baratto; Mantis enjoyed a stellar collegiate career at Northwestern, where he led the Wildcats in field goal percentage as a senior. That season (1958–59), he served as team captain, and led them to their best finish in the Big Ten - a tie for 2nd with an 8-6 conference record, 15-7 overall. The Wildcats won nine of their first ten games, dropping a stunner to #5 ranked North Carolina in the University of Louisville-hosted 'Bluegrass Festival Tournament.' The Wildcats spent seven consecutive weeks on the AP Poll, and knocked off the Jerry West-led West Virginia Mountaineers.[2]
Professional career
Mantis was selected in the 1959 NBA Draft, by the St. Louis Hawks, after a collegiate career at Northwestern University.[1] He played for the Hawks, Minneapolis Lakers, and Chicago Zephyrs, during a two-year NBA career.[1] Mantis also played in the American Basketball League in the 1961–62 season, and in the Midwest Professional Basketball League, earning league MVP and first-team all-league honors, in the 1963–64 season.[3]
Death
Mantis died on August 13, 2017, at the age of 81.[4]
References
- Nick Mantis. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved on May 16, 2013.
- http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/nw/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2012-13/misc_non_event/1213MBBYearbook.pdf
- Midwest Professional Basketball League History. Retrieved on February 7, 2016.
- Hutton, Mike (August 14, 2017). "Nick Mantis, a man among boys in basketball at East Chicago Washington, dies". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 15, 2017.