La Salle University
Tom Gola led La Salle to the NIT championship in 1952, NCAA championship in 1954, and NCAA national runner-up in 1955. He was named tournament MVP and National Player of the Year in 1954. He averaged 20.9 points and 19.0 rebounds during 115 games and holds the NCAA record with 2,201 career rebounds. Gola went on to play in the NBA for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors (1955-1956) and New York Knicks (1957-1966) amassing 7,871 points and 5,605 rebounds. His #15 jersey is retired at La Salle, and Gola is listed 17th on ESPN’s “Countdown to the Greatest” college basketball players.