Bob Cousy

Bob Cousy was born August 9, 1928, to Joseph and Julliette Cousy, poor French immigrants who lived on Manhattan's East side. Cousy grew up a "ghetto rat," and while young played stickball and boxball and stole hubcaps for some occasional quick change.

Eventually his father was able to save up $500 from his job driving a cab and working for an airline, and the family moved into their own house in the St. Alban's neighborhood of Queens, Long Island. His mother worked days as a secretary and language teacher, and to keep himself occupied after school, Cousy discovered the game of basketball. Though early on he would have some basketball disappointments, getting cut twice from the Andrew Jackson High School junior varsity team.