Image: John Kundla
John Albert Kundla (1916-2017) was an esteemed American basketball coach, renowned for his contributions to both college and professional basketball. As the head coach of the Minneapolis Lakers, Kundla led his teams to six league championships, including one in the NBL, one in the BAA, and four in the NBA. His coaching prowess and dedication to the sport earned him numerous accolades and a well-deserved place in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Early Life
Born in the mining town of Star Junction, Pennsylvania, Kundla moved to Minneapolis at the tender age of five. He attended Central High School in Minneapolis, where he discovered his passion for basketball and honed his skills on the court.
Playing Career
Kundla's love for the game led him to the University of Minnesota, where he became a standout player for the Golden Gophers basketball team in the late 1930s.
Coaching Career
After graduating, Kundla embarked on a coaching career that would leave an indelible mark on the basketball world. He started as an assistant coach at the University of Minnesota and later became the head coach of DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis.
In 1946, Kundla was appointed as the head basketball coach at the College of St. Thomas. However, it was his tenure with the Minneapolis Lakers that solidified his status as a coaching legend.
Minneapolis Lakers (1947-1959)
Image: 1950 NBA Champion Minneapolis Lakers
Kundla's coaching career skyrocketed when he took the helm of the Minneapolis Lakers. With the acquisition of star center George Mikan, Kundla's Lakers quickly became a force to be reckoned with.
Under Kundla's guidance, the Lakers clinched the NBL championship in 1948 and went on to win five NBA championships in six years from 1949 to 1954. The team boasted an impressive roster of talented players, including Jim Pollard, Slater Martin, Vern Mikkelsen, and Clyde Lovellette. Kundla's coaching prowess led the Lakers to become the first team to repeat as league champions and the first team to achieve a three-peat.
University of Minnesota (1959-1968)
In 1959, despite the Lakers franchise moving to Los Angeles, Kundla chose to stay in Minnesota and returned to his alma mater, the University of Minnesota, as their head coach. During his tenure, Kundla also taught physical education at the university.
While coaching the Gophers, Kundla became known for his commitment to diversity, as he was one of the first coaches to offer scholarships to African-American players. This decision garnered him praise but also fueled hate mail from those opposed to his progressive stance.
Legacy and Honors
Kundla's contributions to the sport of basketball have not gone unnoticed. In 1996, he was named one of the ten greatest coaches in NBA history. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995 and the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.
Personal Life and Retirement
Kundla's love for the game extended beyond his coaching career. He formed deep connections with his players, often meeting them for breakfast even after retiring from coaching. Kundla was a devoted family man, and he and his wife, Marie, raised six children together.
John Kundla passed away on July 23, 2017, at the age of 101. His remarkable legacy lives on, and his impact on the sport of basketball will forever be remembered.
This article is a tribute to John Kundla, a basketball legend who left an indelible mark on the sport.
