Falcons’ Al Bianchi to Be Inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame

Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame Announces 2016 Class

Bowling Green, Ohio – BGSU Hall of Famer and 1954 All-American Alfred "Al" Bianchi will be inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the 2016 Class on May 21 at the Columbus Convention Center.

Born in Long Island, New York, Bianchi was a graduate of Long Island City High School in 1950, where he earned three basketball letters as an All-Queens forward.

A 1953-54 INS, UPI and Colliers First Team All-American, Bianchi came to Bowling Green in 1950, and moved into the starting lineup as a sophomore in the middle of the 1951-52 season. Bianchi took over as a regular forward the following season, and would go on to score 1,487 points in his career. He led the team in scoring in 1952-53 and 1953-54 while twice scoring more than 40 points in a game. The 6-foot-3 forward averaged 25.0 points per game as a senior when he scored 600 points to finish eighth in the country in scoring.

"I had an opportunity just recently to spend some time with Al. What a special man. What a special part of our history," stated D. Christopher Kingston, BGSU Director of Athletics. "So proud of him and I am so excited for his induction into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame as we celebrate our 100-year history of Falcon Men's Basketball."

Bianchi averaged 19.1 points per game over just three years at BGSU which ranks seven all-time in BGSU history. His 1,487 career points as a Falcon still ranks 13th all-time, while his 600 points in 1953-54 still ranks as the eighth-most in school history. Bianchi's season scoring average of 25.0 that year is still third all-time in BGSU's history. He also still ranks 10th all-time with 596 points in 1952-53, in which he led the team with 22.1 points per game.

A 1953-54 NABC All-District First-Team honoree, Bianchi was also named to the MAC All-Conference First-Team and All-Ohio in 1953-54. The two-time BGSU Team MVP, he scored a career-high 41 points versus Western Michigan on Mar. 1, 1954. He also poured in 40 points against Loyola of Chicago on Mar. 2, 1953.

"On behalf of the Bowling Green Men's Basketball program we would like to congratulate Al on being inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame. Al is one of the all-time great players to come through BGSU and still holds a number of notable spots in our record books. His 25 points per game scoring average and over 1,400 points are both terrific accomplishments," head coach Michael Huger commented. "However, his dedication to BGSU basketball, unselfish style of play and commitment to his teammates are the qualities that make him a cornerstone to our storied history. Congratulations to Al on a much deserved induction and accomplishment. Once a Falcon, always a Falcon!"

After two years in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, he was drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers and played in the National Basketball Association for 10 years - seven with the Syracuse Nationals and three with the Philadelphia 76ers. He was one of the last NBA players who used the two-handed set shot. After retiring as a player, Bianchi coached the NBA's Seattle Supersonics and the ABA's Washington Caps/Virginia Squires. He was named the ABA Coach of the Year in 1971. He returned to the NBA in 1976, serving 11 years as an assistant coach for the Phoenix Suns.

Bianchi was inducted into the BGSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1965.

About the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame
Founded in 2006, the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame recognizes the achievements of both male and female basketball players in high school, college and professional basketball; successful coaches on all levels; and those who have impacted the game along the way. The induction ceremony is a celebration of basketball, its rich history, and those who have contributed to the game in Ohio.

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