Schuckman, Allie

Albert Schuckman

Schuckman was one of four Jewish starters on the legendary St. John's "Wonder Five." The team played four years together, entering as freshmen, and graduating in 1931 with a 86-8 record during their career. The "Wonder Five," one of college basketball's most famous teams, had a huge impact on basketball in New York City. Their popularity led to the famed doubleheaders at Madison Square Garden and the rise of the "City game."

Birth and Death Dates:
unknown

Career Highlights:
In 1928, Schuckman, a quick-shooting guard, entered St. John's along with center Matt Begovich, forward Mac Posnack, and fellow guards, Mac Kinsbrunner (a great dribbler), and defensive specialist Rip Gerson. The original "Fab Five," they had a terrific freshman season, finishing 18-4. The following year, they showed their brilliance as sophomores, and displayed a sign of things to come with an 18-game winning streak. The next two seasons they also complied extensive winning streaks --including 27 straight victories during their junior and senior years! All told, they compiled a memorable record of 86-8 in their years together with remarkable seasons of 23-2, 24-1, and 21-1, and helped popularize the college game in New York City.

During the 1930-31 season, in the midst of their 27 game winning streak, the "Wonder Five" played Nat Holman's CCNY squad in front of a record crowd of 12,000 people! Realizing the popularity of the "Wonder Five", the mayor of New York City called for a triple header at Madison Square Garden to benefit the Unemployment Relief Fund. 15,000 people came to watch Columbia, Fordham, CCNY, Manhattan, St. John's, and NYU play, and the doubleheaders at MSG were born -- they soon included the top teams from across the country. The Garden would serve as the mecca of college basketball for the next twenty years.

Schuckman and the rest of the "Wonder Five" players turned professional together following the 1931 season and toured as the Brooklyn Jewels, an independent team, for two years. In 1933, the Jewels joined the newly-formed American Basketball League, the top professional league on the East Coast. The Jewels remained together for 5 years, playing in the ABL Championship twice (1935 and 1938), but losing both times. In 1935-36, Schuckman finished tenth in the league in scoring with 214 points (6.1 average). In 1997, the Wonder Five were inducted into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame.

Origin:
unknown

Career Dates:
Schuckman played guard at St. John's, 1928-1931.

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