Anthony George Kappen (April 13, 1919 – December 18, 1993) was an American professional basketball player.
A 5'10" guard who did not attend college and had previously attended Forest Hills High School in Queens, Kappen played for the Boston Celtics and the Pittsburgh Ironmen during the 1946–47 BAA season. He averaged 6.5 points per game during the season on 23.8% shooting. Kappen and Celtics teammate Connie Simmons were the first players in the BAA (later known as the NBA) who did not have any college experience.Tony Kappen. basketball-reference. Retrieved on January 12, 2009.High school players to enter NBA. Retrieved on January 12, 2009. Kappen had previously played in the American Basketball LeagueMichael Weinreb. "Telfair's quantum leap of faith". The Daily Press. May 5, 2004. Retrieved on January 12, 2009. for the New York Gothams and Brooklyn Gothams.American Basketball League Statistics. APBR.org. Retrieved on January 12, 2009.
Celtics PR director Howie McHugh said that Kappen "was one of the few guys [on the 1946–47 Celtics] who were serious about playing". However, Kappen was traded midseason to the Pittsburgh Ironmen for Moe Becker, who had become available after a falling-out with his coach.Charley Rosen. The First Tip-Off. McGraw-Hill, 2008. 87-88.
BAA career statistics Legend GP Games played FG% Field-goal percentage FT% Free-throw percentage APG Assists per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high Regular season Year Team GP FG% FT% APG PPG 1946–47 Boston 18 .275 .632 .3 4.1 1946–47 Pittsburgh 41 .231 .856 .5 7.6Career 59 .238 .795 .5 6.5
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