The All-National Basketball League Team was an annual National Basketball League (NBL) honor bestowed upon the best players in the United States league following the NBL season. The team was selected every season of the league's existence, from 1937–38 through 1948–49.

Nine players earned at least four total selections, three of whom have been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame – Bobby McDermott (1988), Buddy Jeannette (1994), and Al Cervi (1985). As of 2026, only Leroy Edwards has yet to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. In addition to them, seven other players (five of whom had earned three or less All-NBL First Team and/or Second Team honors) have also entered the Basketball Hall of Fame as well, although two players did so with the honor of making it as a head coach later in their careers either instead of or alongside their time spent as players – John Wooden (once in 1960 as a player and again in 1973 as a head coach for college basketball), Red Holzman (1986 as a head coach in the NBA), Bob Davies (1970), Arnie Risen (1998), George Mikan (1959), Jim Pollard (1978), and Sonny Boswell (2022).

Key

*Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of FamePlayer (X)Denotes the number of times the player has been selectedPlayer(in bold text)Indicates the player who won the NBL Most Valuable Player in the same year

Annual selections Season First Team Second TeamPlayersTeamsPlayersTeams1937–38Scott ArmstrongFort Wayne General ElectricsSoup CableAkron Firestone Non-SkidsChuck BloedornAkron Goodyear WingfootsRobert KesslerIndianapolis KautskysLeroy EdwardsOshkosh All-StarsVince McGowanWhiting Ciesar All-AmericansCharley ShippAkron Goodyear WingfootsJack OzburnAkron Firestone Non-SkidsJohn Wooden*Whiting Ciesar All-AmericansBart QuinnFort Wayne General Electrics1938–39Paul BirchPittsburgh PiratesChuck Bloedorn (2)Akron Goodyear WingfootsJerry BushAkron Firestone Non-SkidsJohn MoirAkron Firestone Non-SkidsSoup Cable (2)Akron Firestone Non-SkidsJack Ozburn (2)Akron Firestone Non-SkidsOshkosh All-StarsCharley Shipp (2)Akron Goodyear WingfootsJohn SinesIndianapolis KautskysJewell YoungIndianapolis Kautskys1939–40Soup Cable (3)Akron Firestone Non-SkidsErnie AndresIndianapolis KautskysOshkosh All-StarsNat FrankelDetroit EaglesWibs KautzChicago BruinsOtto KolarSheboygan Red SkinsCharley Shipp (3)Oshkosh All-StarsRube LautenschlagerSheboygan Red SkinsBen StephensAkron Goodyear WingfootsJack Ozburn (3)Akron Firestone Non-Skids1940–41Oshkosh All-StarsBob CalihanDetroit EaglesBuddy Jeannette*Detroit EaglesBill HapacChicago BruinsJack Ozburn (4)Akron Firestone Non-SkidsWibs Kautz (2)Chicago BruinsEd SadowskiDetroit EaglesBobby NeuHammond Ciesar All-AmericansCharley Shipp (4)Oshkosh All-StarsJake PelkingtonAkron Goodyear WingfootsBen Stephens (2)Akron Goodyear WingfootsRalph VaughnHammond Ciesar All-Americans / Chicago Bruins1941–42Chuck ChuckovitsToledo Jim White ChevroletsEd DanckerSheboygan Red SkinsOshkosh All-StarsGeorge GlamackAkron Goodyear WingfootsBobby McDermott*Fort Wayne Zollner PistonsHerm SchaeferFort Wayne Zollner PistonsCharley Shipp (5)Oshkosh All-StarsRalph Vaughn (2)Chicago BruinsBen Stephens (3)Akron Goodyear WingfootsJewell Young (2)Indianapolis Kautskys1942–43Curly ArmstrongFort Wayne Zollner PistonsSonny Boswell*Chicago Studebaker FlyersEd Dancker (2)Sheboygan Red SkinsJerry Bush (2)Fort Wayne Zollner PistonsFort Wayne Zollner PistonsOshkosh All-StarsCharley Shipp (6)Oshkosh All-StarsBuddy Jeannette* (2)Sheboygan Red SkinsRalph Vaughn (3)Oshkosh All-StarsKen SuesensSheboygan Red Skins1943–44Ed Dancker (3)Sheboygan Red SkinsJerry Bush (3)Fort Wayne Zollner PistonsBuddy Jeannette* (3)Fort Wayne Zollner PistonsSheboygan Red SkinsFort Wayne Zollner PistonsJake Pelkington (2)Fort Wayne Zollner PistonsMel RiebeCleveland Chase BrassmenCharley Shipp (7)Oshkosh All-StarsClint WagerOshkosh All-StarsKen Suesens (2)Sheboygan Red Skins1944–45Oshkosh All-StarsJerry Bush (4)Fort Wayne Zollner PistonsBuddy Jeannette* (4)Fort Wayne Zollner PistonsEd Dancker (4)Sheboygan Red SkinsFort Wayne Zollner PistonsHuck HartmanPittsburgh RaidersStan PatrickChicago American GearsJake Pelkington (3)Fort Wayne Zollner PistonsMel Riebe (2)Cleveland Allmen TransfersDick TriptowChicago American Gears1945–46Bob CarpenterOshkosh All-StarsFrank BaumholtzYoungstown BearsEd Dancker (5)Sheboygan Red SkinsBob Calihan (2)Chicago American GearsGeorge Glamack (2)Rochester RoyalsAl Cervi*Rochester RoyalsRed Holzman*Rochester RoyalsOshkosh All-StarsBuddy Jeannette* (5)Fort Wayne Zollner PistonsMike NovakSheboygan Red SkinsFort Wayne Zollner PistonsJerry SteinerIndianapolis Kautskys1946–47Al Cervi* (2)Rochester RoyalsBob Calihan (3)Chicago American GearsBob Davies*Rochester RoyalsBob Carpenter (2)Oshkosh All-StarsFred LewisSheboygan Red SkinsRed Holzman* (2)Rochester RoyalsFort Wayne Zollner Pistons / Chicago American Gears Arnie Risen*Indianapolis KautskysGeorge Mikan*Chicago American GearsHal TidrickToledo Jeeps1947–48Al Cervi* (3)Rochester RoyalsFrank BrianAnderson Duffey PackersRed Holzman* (3)Rochester RoyalsBob Calihan (4)Flint/Midland Dow A.C.'sGeorge Mikan* (2)Minneapolis LakersBob Davies* (2)Rochester RoyalsJim Pollard*Minneapolis LakersSheboygan Red Skins / Tri-Cities BlackhawksMike TodorovichSheboygan Red SkinsDon OttenTri-Cities Blackhawks1948–49Frank Brian (2)Anderson Duffey PackersBill ClossAnderson Duffey PackersAl Cervi* (4)Syracuse NationalsHoot GibsonTri-Cities Blackhawks / Denver NuggetsGene EnglundOshkosh All-StarsBoag JohnsonAnderson Duffey PackersDick MehenWaterloo HawksMike Todorovich (2)Sheboygan Red SkinsDon Otten (2)Tri-Cities BlackhawksWhitey Von NiedaTri-Cities Blackhawks

Most selections The following table only lists players with at least four total selections. Player Total First Team Second Team MVP Seasons played8 6 2 3 12*7 6 1 5 87 5 2 0 125 3 2 0 11*5 4 1 0 74 1 3 0 94 0 4 0 5*4 3 1 0 54 1 3 0 5

All-Time NBL Team *Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a player While most information regarding the creation of the All-Time NBL Team is unknown as of 2025, what is known is that sometime during the late 20th century (or even the early 21st century, although that point would be highly unlikely), the ranking for what was considered the NBL's twenty best all-time players was voted by members of the print and broadcast news media that would have reported on and announced games for the NBL, including statisticians. It's unknown if the ranking was done similarly to what occurred with the ABA All-Time Team or if its ranking was done before the ABA All-Time Team was done. Regardless, this team consists of the twenty best and most influential players of the NBL during its twelve seasons of existence after previously starting out as the Midwest Basketball Conference amateur or semipro basketball league back in 1935, with respect not only to performance at the professional level, but in consideration of sportsmanship, team leadership, and contributions to the growth of the league and the sport of basketball, and irrespective of positions played.

The following information for the All-Time NBL Team is found in the referenced archive link. NamePositionTeam(s) played for (years)Championships wonAward(s) wonVoting undertaken by news media covering the NBL was used to compile, after each regular season period, two teams, each comprising what was usually (but not always) two forwards, two guards, and one center, with the first to be composed of the best players at their respective positions and the second to be composed of the next best players, as well as MVP and Rookie of the Year honors.Hall of Fame induction (as player)Ref.Jerry BushF/CAkron Firestone Non-Skids (1938–1941)Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (1941–1947)Anderson Duffey Packers (1946–1947)Toledo Jeeps (1947–1948)1939, 1940, 1944, 1945All-NBL First Team (1939)All-NBL Second Team (1943–1945)—Bob CarpenterF/COshkosh All-Stars (1940–1941, 1945–1948, 1949)Hammond Calumet Buccaneers (1948–1949)1941NBL scoring leader (1946)All-NBL First Team (1946)All-NBL Second Team (1947)— Al CerviG/FBuffalo Bisons (1937–1938)Rochester Royals (1945–1948)Syracuse Nationals (1948–1949)1946NBL scoring leader (1947)All-NBL First Team (1947–1949)All-NBL Second Team (1946)1985Chuck ChuckovitsF/GHammond Ciesar All-Americans (1939–1940)Toledo Jim White Chevrolets (1941–1942)NoneNBL scoring leader (1942)All-NBL First Team (1942)—Ed DanckerC/FSheboygan Red Skins (1938–1948)Oshkosh All-Stars (1948–1949)1943All-NBL First Team (1943–1944, 1946)All NBL Second Team (1942, 1945)— Bob Davies*G/FRochester Royals (1945–1948)1946NBL MVP (1947)All-NBL First Team (1947)All-NBL Second Team (1948)1970Leroy EdwardsC/FOshkosh All-Stars (1937–1949)1941, 1942NBL MVP (1938–1940)NBL scoring leader (1938–1940)All-NBL First Team (1938–1942, 1945)All-NBL Second Team (1943, 1946)—Gene EnglundF/COshkosh All-Stars (1941–1949)1942All-NBL First Team (1949)— Pop Gates*F/GBuffalo Bisons / Tri-Cities Blackhawks (1946–1947)Dayton Rens (1948–1949)NoneNone1989George GlamackC/FAkron Goodyear Wingfoots (1941–1942)Rochester Royals (1945–1947)Indianapolis Kautskys (1947–1948)Hammond Calumet Buccaneers (1948–1949)1946NBL Rookie of the Year (1942)All-NBL First Team (1946)All-NBL Second Team (1942)— Buddy Jeannette*GWarren Penns / Cleveland White Horses (1938–1939)Detroit Eagles (1939–1941)Sheboygan Red Skins (1943)Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (1943–1946)1943, 1944, 1945All-NBL First Team (1941, 1944–1946)All-NBL Second Team (1943)1994 Bobby McDermott*GFort Wayne Zollner Pistons (1941–1946)Chicago American Gears (1946–1947)Sheboygan Red Skins (1947)Tri-Cities Blackhawks (1947–1948)Hammond Calumet Buccaneers (1948–1949)1944, 1945, 1947NBL MVP (1942–1946)NBL scoring leader (1943)All-NBL First Team (1942–1947)All-NBL Second Team (1948)1988 George Mikan*CChicago American Gears (1946–1947)Minneapolis Lakers (1947–1948)1947, 1948NBL MVP (1948)NBL scoring leader (1948)All-NBL First Team (1947–1948)1959Mike NovakC/FChicago Bruins (1939–1942)Chicago Studebaker Flyers (1942–1943)Sheboygan Red Skins (1943–1946)Syracuse Nationals (1946–1948)NoneAll-NBL Second Team (1946)—Don OttenCBuffalo Bisons / Tri-Cities Blackhawks (1946–1949)NoneNBL MVP (1949)NBL scoring leader (1949)All-NBL First Team (1949)All-NBL Second Team (1948)—Mel RiebeG/FCleveland Chase Brassmen / Allmen Transfers (1943–1946)NoneNBL Rookie of the Year (1944)NBL scoring leader (1944–1945)All-NBL First Team (1944–1945)— Arnie Risen*C/FIndianapolis Kautskys (1945–1948)Rochester Royals (1948)NoneAll-NBL Second Team (1947)1998Charley ShippG/FAkron Goodyear Wingfoots (1937–1939)Oshkosh All-Stars (1939–1944)Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons (1944–1946)Anderson Duffey Packers (1946–1948)Waterloo Hawks (1948–1949)1938, 1941, 1942, 1945All-NBL First Team (1938, 1940–1943)All-NBL Second Team (1939, 1944)—Ben StephensG/FAkron Goodyear Wingfoots (1939–1942)NoneNBL Rookie of the Year (1940)NBL MVP (1941)NBL scoring leader (1941)All-NBL First Team (1940–1942)—Mike TodorovichF/CSheboygan Red Skins (1947–1949)NoneNBL Rookie of the Year (1948)All-NBL First Team (1948)All-NBL Second Team (1949)— In addition to those twenty voted players, media voting also gave special voting for the honor of the All-Time Greatest NBL Player from the assorted group as well, with the honor being given out to Bobby McDermott, with votes also (likely) being given out to Leroy Edwards as well.

See also All-NBA Team All-ABA Team ABA All-Time Team

References General

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