Roman Turmon
Turmon with the Harlem Globetrotters in 1959
Personal information
Born(1933-03-14)March 14, 1933
Shady Dale, Georgia, U.S.
DiedJune 9, 2001(2001-06-09) (aged 68)
Manhattan, New York, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Career information
High schoolThomaston Training
(Thomaston, Georgia)
CollegeClark Atlanta (1952–1954)
NBA draft1954: undrafted
Playing career1959–1964
PositionForward
Career history
1959–1964Allentown Jets
Career highlights and awards

Roman "Doc" Turmon (March 14, 1933 – June 9, 2001) was an American professional basketball player.

High school and college career

Turmon was born on March 14, 1933,[1] and was a native of Shady Dale, Georgia.[2] He was a three-time all-state selection in basketball and football while he attended Thomaston Training School in Thomaston, Georgia.[3] In 1951, Turmon became the first athlete to receive a full scholarship to Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University).[3] He was named all-conference in basketball, football and track and field specializing in shot put while at Clark.[3] Turmon led the basketball team to the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) championship in 1954.[3] His 21.9 rebounds per game is the eighth highest career total in NCAA Division II history.[4]

Playing career

Turmon played for the Harlem Globetrotters and was named the team's most valuable player in 1958.[3] He joined the Allentown Jets of the Eastern Professional Basketball League (EPBL) in 1959 and played with the team for five seasons.[1] Turmon was named the EPBL Most Valuable Player in 1962 and earned four consecutive All-EPBL team appearances.[1] Despite standing at only 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m),[5] he led the league in rebounds for two seasons: 582 in 1960–61,[6] and 538 in 1961–62.[7] The Jets were EPBL champions in 1962 and 1963.[8][9]

Later life

In 1964, Turmon was reading The New York Times when he noticed an advertisement offering Chicken Delight franchises.[10] He had been saving money from his athletic career for a future business investment and signed with Chicken Delight officials.[10] Turmon opened his first store in Harlem, New York, and broke all records for opening-day sales in the chain.[10] He and his brother-in-law opened a second store in Brooklyn.[10] Turmon grossed $35,000 a month from his business in 1966.[10] He operated the two franchises for 14 years.[3][11]

Turmon died on June 9, 2001, in Manhattan, New York.[2]

Turmon was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Roman Turmon minor league basketball statistics". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Deaths and Funerals". The Atlanta Constitution. Atlanta, Georgia. June 15, 2001. p. 42. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Class of 2009". Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  4. ^ "DIVISION II MEN'S BASKETBALL RECORDS" (PDF). NCAA. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  5. ^ Groller, Keith (November 27, 1993). "New Jets Need Players Caliber of Original Jets". The Morning Call. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  6. ^ "1960-61 Eastern Professional Basketball League Leaders". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  7. ^ "1961-62 Eastern Professional Basketball League Leaders". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  8. ^ "1961-62 Eastern Professional Basketball League". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  9. ^ "1962-63 Eastern Professional Basketball League". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  10. ^ a b c d e Poinsett, Alex (July 1966). "A $65 Billion Gold Mine". Ebony. No. 21. p. 89. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
  11. ^ Frederick, Dave (January 19, 2021). "Old-school basketball and community connections". Cape Gazette. Retrieved May 1, 2022.
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