Bob Cousy

After seeing his success on the high school court, Holy Cross, a smaller school in Worcester, Massachusetts—less than an hour's drive from Boston—offered him a scholarship. This was in 1946, and in 1946 the style of basketball that was played at both the college and pro levels was not like it is today. The teams were much slower, playing a methodical and deliberate ball, their shots of choice typically were two-handed set shots.

But that was not Cousy's style of play, and Holy Cross was not ready for what Coach Alvin "Doggie" Julian saw as "showboating." Holy Cross was a powerful school, and they won the national championship in the 1946-47 season—without Cousy as a starter. He would win the spot his second year, but the coach, still fearful of his hotdogging, limited his playing time.

Given the circumstances, Cousy considered transferring, but the coach at St. John's actually convinced Cousy to stay at Holy Cross. He would be given his opportunity in a game against Loyola of Chicago played at Boston Garden (Holy Cross had an old, small gym). With less than five minutes left, Holy Cross was trailing. The crowd was aware of Cousy's style, and they enjoyed watching him play. They began chanting "We want Cousy! We want Cousy!" The coach had no choice left. Cousy was put into the game, and in the last few minutes of play, Cousy scored eleven points. He topped it off by putting down a buzzer-beating lefthanded hook, moving past a much larger player with his behind-the-back-dribble.

Cousy would earn All-American status three times while in college. He became the biggest name in college hoops. Under Cousy's floor leadership, Holy Cross won twenty-six straight games.

Cousy graduated in 1950 with a degree in business, but he would be known as one of the standout college players to ever come through the system.