Tom Gola
Basketball · Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
- High school
- La Salle College High School
- College
- La Salle University
- Pro team(s)
- Philadelphia Warriors, San Francisco Warriors, New York Knicks
- Hall of Fame
- ⭐ Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Thomas Joseph Gola was born on January 13, 1933, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and attended La Salle College High School — a Germantownschool where he was one of the most coveted prep players in the city — before going on to La Salle University, just a few blocks from his childhood home. At La Salle, Gola was a four-time All-American and led the Explorers to the 1954 NCAA national championship, then to the NIT title the following year. He remains the all-time leader in career points and rebounds in NCAA Tournament history. The Philadelphia Warriors selected him 1st overall in the 1955 NBA Draft, and Gola immediately contributed to a Warriors team that won the 1956 NBA championship — giving him the distinction of winning both the NCAA title and the NBA title, a feat accomplished by very few players in history. An extraordinarily versatile 6'6" guard-forward, Gola played 10 NBA seasons and was a five-time All-Star. After retiring he became an important figure in Philadelphia civic and political life, serving as City Controller and running for mayor. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1976. Attended La Salle College High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.