Kurland, "Bob" (Robert A.)
Basketball
b. Dec. 23, 1924, St. Louis, MO
Basketball's first 7-footer, Kurland starred at Oklahoma A & M (now Oklahoma State) from 1943-44 through the 1945-46 season. Under Coach Henry Iba, the team emphasized defense and played a ball-control offense that featured a lot of patient passing to set up a good shot.
Iba said, "Kurland made our type of game go. We knew he would get us the ball so we never had to rush into a bad shot." As a sophomore, Kurland often leaped above the rim to grab opponents' shots before they went in. As a result, the NCAA in 1945 adopted a rule against goaltending.
Led by Kurland, Oklahoma A & M became the first team to win two consecutive NCAA championships, in 1945 and 1946. He scored 22 points in a 49-45 win over New York University in the 1945 championship, 23 points in a 43-40 victory over North Carolina in the 1946 title game and was named the tournament's most valuable player both years. The Helms Athletic Foundation named him college player of the year as a senior, when he led the nation in scoring with 19.5 points per game.
After graduating, Kurland went to work for the Phillips Oil Company and played for its AAU basketball team, the 66ers. In his six seasons of AAU play, the 66ers won three national championships and Kurland was named an AAU All-American six times.
He was the first player to perform for two gold medal Olympic basketball teams, in 1948 and 1952. Kurland said the biggest thrill of his life was carrying the American flag at the opening ceremony of the Olympics in 1952.