Judenfriend, Hal "Judy"

Harold Judenfriend

Judenfriend was a star player at City College of New York in the early 1940s before playing professionally in the American Basketball League. "Judy" is a member of the CCNY Athletic Hall of Fame.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. 1920

Career Highlights:
Born to Polish immigrants in the Brownsville area of Brooklyn, Judenfriend grew up playing basketball in the schoolyards and playgrounds of the predominantly Jewish neighborhood. After playing at Franklin K. Lane High School, "Judy" played at CCNY under legendary coach Nat Holman in the early 1940s.

"Judy" and the CCNY team, which included future Hall of Fame coach Red Holzman, formed one of the best squads in the country in 1941, finishing the regular season with a record of 15-6. In the school's first-ever postseason appearance, the Beavers defeated Virginia, 64-35, in the first round of the NIT (National Invitational Tournament) before losing to Ohio, 45-43, in the semifinals. They then defeated Seton Hall, 42-27, in the consolation game. Judenfriend played in two games in the tournament (against Virginia and Seton Hall), but did not score.

In 1942, Judenfriend returned to City College. The Beavers finished 16-2 in the regular season and were ranked No. 4 in the East (by the New York Times). Seeded No. 3 in the NIT, CCNY was upset in the first round by Western Kentucky, 49-46. Judenfriend did not play in that game.

After graduating from City College, Judenfriend played in the ABL, the top Eastern professional league in the 1930s and early 1940s. According to statistics compiled by historian Robert Bradley, Judenfriend played one game for the Wilmington Bombers in the 1945-46 season, scoring two points; Wilmington finished in fourth place, 15-19 on the year.

Origin:
Brooklyn, New York

Career Dates:
Judenfriend played guard and forward at CCNY in 1941-1942.

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