Oscar Schectman, an All-American in 1941, led the Blackbirds to their second NIT championship with a 25-2 mark. Schectman was a member of the Blackbirds from 1938-41, helping the team to a 66-6 record over three seasons.

Drafted by the New York Knicks in the Basketball Association of America in 1946, Schectman was named the Knicks’ first team captain and was credited with scoring the first basket in a league that became the NBA.

Schectman is also a member of the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame. 

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