Goldstein, "Ace"

Morris Goldstein

Goldstein was a three-year starter for the CCNY (City College of New York) Beavers in the mid-1930s. After college, Goldstein played professionally in the ABL (American Basketball League), the top professional league in the East prior to the founding of the NBA. He later changed his name to Mark Asa Abbott. Goldstein is a member of the CCNY Athletic Hall of Fame.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. March 20, 1917 - d. October 8, 1960

Career Highlights:
During the 1935-36 season, Goldstein began his varsity career as a forward at City College under legendary head coach Nat Holman. A starter by the middle of the season, Ace's teammates on the Beaver squad included fellow sophomore Bernie Fliegel (who later became godfather to Goldstein's son) and senior captain Sol Kopitko. That year, City finished the season with a record of 10-4.

In 1936-37, City had a mediocre season (by CCNY standards) with a record of 10-6, although Goldstein finished the year with 64 total points, 49th most in the New York Metropolitan area). The following season, Goldstein and Fliegel led City to a 13-3 record. Ace scored 133 points, 23rd in the Met area.

After college, Goldstein played professionally in the ABL (American Basketball League). In 1938-39, he played for the Jersey Reds and averaged 5.6 points per game (third on the team) as the Reds compiled a record of 19-14 during the regular season. In the playoffs, the Jersey squad advanced to the championship, but lost to New York. The following year, Ace played with New York and was the team's leading scorer (185 points in 30 games). New York finished 15-15 and went on to the playoffs, although they were eliminated in a round-robin tournament.

In 1940-41, New York finished with a 14-14 record. Goldstein averaged 6.9 points per game (199 points in 29 games). After dividing his time between New York and Trenton in 1941-42 (the New York franchise folded in the middle of the season), Ace played exclusively for Trenton in 1942-43. He was the team's leading scorer with 111 points, leading Trenton to a record of 11-2 during the regular season, although they lost the championship to the Philadelphia SPHAs (South Philadelphia Hebrew Association).

Origin:
Bronx, New York

Career Dates:
Goldstein played at CCNY from 1935-1938. He went on to play professional basketball for ten years.

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