Expert: Borko Bariæ - 5/24/2004

Question
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Forgive me, my mother said that he was drafted from the Tennesse College.  I am not sure if it a state or university.  i know he got a full basketball schorlarship.

Maybe he just sat on the bench?  Or possibly ?  I am not sure, just trying to find something to this ghost past.

Yes, it was the Royals.  My mother said he always spoke of Oscar.

Would that share any light?




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Followup To
Question -
I am trying to find out about a team back in the 60,70's basketball team.  The team was bought out and the name changed.  \I think the name today is a baseball team.

However, I am looking for a man by the name of Rudolph T. Williams.  He played with a very very famous basketball player by the name of Rudolph as well.  \or his last name was william.

My father recently died and someone said he might have played briefly on this team. He went to mississippi state. or University of \mississippi.

Any knowledge around any of this info would be helpful
thank you ohhh expert.
Answer -
First let me say I'm sorry for your loss.

As for the Royals, they do exist nowaday under the name Sacramento Kings. The team was founded in 1945 as Rochester Royals and went on to win the 1951 NBA title. In 1957 they moved to Cincinnati, where their biggest star was Oscar Robertson. In 1971 the Royals moved to Kansas City and changed their nickname to Kings. They remained in Kansas City (and, sometimes, Omaha) until 1985, when they finally moved to Sacramento.

You also mentioned Indiana. Indianapolis Kautskys were founded in 1937 and existed until 1946, includind a 3 year hiatus during the WW2. In 1946 they renamed themselves Indianapolis Jets and folded the season after.
Indianapolis Olympians existed from 1950-53, they folded after a big game-fixing scandal.

Unfortunately, in neither of the aforementioned teams have I found any mention of Rudolph T. Williams. Plus, the only "famous" basketball player with similar name is Rudy LaRusso, who played from 1959-69 for Minneapolis/L.A. Lakers and San Francisco Warriors, and was a 4-time All-Star. Also, I didn't find any standout players from Missisipi colleges other than Bailey Howell and Jeff Malone.

I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful. If you happen to acquire any more information, please contact me and I'd be happy to help you any way I can.

Love,

   Borko

Answer
I was searching for a few days, but, unfortunately, I found no record of anyone named anything close to Rudolph T. Williams ever playing for the Royals/Kings franchise. I also looked for somebody under that name who came from Tennessee colleges, and still found nothing.
Maybe that person wasn't a player, but rather a basketball employee, an assistant, a trainer or something like that.

I'm very sorry I couldn't help you more.