Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 22, 2026

Ray Hamann

Raymond Henry Hamann was an American professional basketball player and college coach. By playing in the National Basketball League for the Oshkosh All-Stars during the 1937–38 and 1938–39 seasons, Hamann became the first South Dakotan to play organized professional basketball. He also competed for the All-Stars when they were a barnstorming independent team.

Last revised
Jul 22, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
311 w
Citations
14
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Ray Hamann
Personal information
Born(1911-08-19)August 19, 1911
Yankton, South Dakota, U.S.
DiedMay 7, 2005(2005-05-07) (aged 93)
Yankton, South Dakota, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High schoolYankton (Yankton, South Dakota)
CollegeWisconsin (1932–1935)
PositionGuard / forward
Career history
Playing
1935–1940Oshkosh All-Stars
1937–1938Kimberly Athletic Association
1940–1941Thorpe Gamble All-Stars
1941Kimberly Pipe Makers
Coaching
1937–1938Kimberly HS
19??–19??Appleton HS
1942–1945Lawrence
Career highlights
As head coach

Raymond Henry Hamann (August 19, 1911 – May 7, 2005) was an American professional basketball player and college coach.12 By playing in the National Basketball League for the Oshkosh All-Stars during the 1937–38 and 1938–39 seasons,13 Hamann became the first South Dakotan to play organized professional basketball.4 He also competed for the All-Stars when they were a barnstorming independent team.2

Hamann played college basketball at Wisconsin from 1932–33 to 1934–35 and helped guide the Badgers to a co-conference championship as a senior.2 During his professional career he coached basketball at Kimberly and Appleton high schools.4 He served in the Navy during World War II.2 When he returned, Hamann earned a master's degree from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, while also serving as their head men's basketball coach from 1942–43 to 1944–45.45 Although he compiled a cumulative record of 11 wins and 15 losses, he led the Vikings to a Midwest Conference championship in his first season.46

Hamann died on May 7, 2005, in his hometown of Yankton, South Dakota.6

References

References

  1. "Ray Hamann NBL stats". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  2. "Ray Hamann". Peach Basket Society. August 24, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  3. "Ray Hamann Statistics". Stats Crew. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  4. "Ray Hamannn – Yankton, 1931". sdbbhof.com. South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  5. "Men's Basketball Records (through 2016–17)" (PDF). lawrence.edu. Lawrence University. 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 6, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  6. "Ray Hamann obituary". Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan. May 10, 2005. Retrieved August 31, 2019.