Wonder 5

It was believed to be the first time St. John's started five freshmen since the 1927-28 season with the team that went on to be known as "The Wonder Five."

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/college/basketball/storm_makes_fresh_start_AMv7DUpM0eGFsSTyr8E17H

I think this was first reported in the NYPOST, or it could have originated from the SJU Athletic Dept, but it doesn't seem to be the case.  Some details are available here: http://www.jewsinsports.org/profile.asp?sport=basketball&ID=227

It appears that the team put together an impressive record of 68 wins and 4 losses spanning 1929-1931.  In 1931 at MSG the team held City College to a single field goal in a game.  The team was made up of Mac Posnack, Mac Kinsbrunner, Allie Schuckman, Rip Gerson, and Matty Begovich, but not all of them were together as freshmen out of the gate, such as a "Fab Five" at Michigan.  Red Auerbach apparently called Kinsbrunner the greatest dribbler he had ever seen.  Begovich later coached at John Marshall College.

I was interested to learn that the group lost its collegiate eligibility because they were playing outside ball together against professionals.  They subsequently formed themselves into a professional team, known as the "Brooklyn Jewels", no doubt named so because 4 of the 5 players (not including here Begovich) were Jewish.

It sure is wonderful to have such an interesting basketball history at STJ.

Wait a minute, the Wonder 5 is referring to players? I thought it was for the St John's student section.

http://www.redstormsports.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/012612aaa.html

From "Wonder Five" To "Fresh Five"

St. John's "Freshman Five" starting lineup of Phil Greene, D'Angelo Harrison, Moe Harkess, Sir'Dominic Pointer and Amir Garrettin its Jan. 25 78-62 win over West Virginia is believed to be a first for the program since 1927-28. That season, three original "Wonder Five" members Mac Kinsbrunner, Jack "Rip" Gerson and Max Posnack first took the floor for legendary St. John's coach and Naismith Hall of Famer James "Buck" Freeman.

The "Wonder Five" never won a national championship in their two seasons together but in that time they did manage to make St. John's the darling of New York fans and bring the Redmen a national following.

Freeman went from St. John's player to St. John's coach over the summer of 1927 and the sport would never be the same. His first team featured freshmen Kinsbrunner, Gerson and Posnack with two other first-year players as starters. The team played a style that featured constant ball movement, including having the pivot touch it, and new plays such as the give-and-go. The Redmen won their first eight games that season and finished 18-4. The freshman class would lose that many games over the next three seasons, going 23-2, 23-1 and 21-1.

Allie Shuckman joined the team in 1929-30. Matty Begovich started as a freshman the season after that and the Wonder Five was complete: Kinsbrunner -- an amazing dribbler, Gerson -- the spark plug on offense and defense, Schuckman -- the shooter, Begovich -- the pivot, and Posnack -- the captain and the team's best passer.

They captured New York's imagination as a team of neighborhood kids playing basketball a different way, a fun way, a successful way. Defense was also a key for Freeman's team and playing keep away was its most effective tactic as the Redmen often held teams without a field goal for long periods of time.

The team outgrew the buildings it played in and it was the Wonder Five who moved college basketball into the big arenas, specifically Madison Square Garden where a special charity game between St. John's and CCNY was arranged. The Redmen beat the Beavers 17-9, their second win over CCNY that season.

The Wonder Five made its last appearance on March 4, 1931, and seniors Gerson, Kinsbrunner and Posnack went out with a 30-16 victory over Manhattan. Posnack was considered by many to be the best player college basketball had seen to that time and there was almost unanimous consent that the Wonder Five was the best team to have ever taken the court.

Thanks JumpinJohnny for the great clarification.  I understand the 5 starting first year players back in the 20s now.  Really excellent post.

Thanks JumpinJohnny for the great clarification.  I understand the 5 starting first year players back in the 20s now.  Really excellent post.

Thanks - I wondered about the details after they brought it up, with a photo too, during the game. Great historical note.

Funny how many the Jews was playin at the city's biggest Catholic school.
Respct fo the religious diversity.

Funny how many the Jews was playin at the city's biggest Catholic school.
Respct fo the religious diversity.

So few Jews are playing in major sports today that it is difficult to imagine an era where Jews were dominant in basketball and boxing.

1928 SJU was far from the largest Catholic U in NYC. Late 1920s larger then SFC but by how much?  I once years ago  read that one year the Wonder 5 played before 500,000 in one year. Doesn't seem possible.