Arthur H. Lentz (June 27, 1926 – December 8, 2018)[1] was an American professional basketball player. He played in the Eastern Professional Basketball League (EPBL) for four seasons.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 27, 1926 York, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | December 8, 2018 (aged 92) York, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| High school | West York (York, Pennsylvania) |
| College | York (Pennsylvania) (1947) |
| Playing career | 1948–1952 |
| Career history | |
| 1948–1951 | York Victory A.C. |
| 1951–1952 | Pottsville Packers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Early life
editLentz was born in the borough of West York in York, Pennsylvania.[1] He started playing basketball while attending a one-room school nicknamed "Corncob College" in North Codorus Township, York County.[2][3] He attended West York High School and played basketball on the varsity team that won its league title in 1943.[2]
Military career
editLentz was about to graduate high school in 1944 when he turned 18 and received a summons to join the United States Army for World War II.[2] He was assigned to the 119th Infantry of the 30th Division and was shipped to the front lines of the Battle of the Bulge.[2] On February 23, 1945, Lentz and another soldier delivered a radio to a front-line unit by sprinting across 500 yards of open territory while under enemy fire; he received a Bronze Star Medal for heroic service.[2] On March 24, 1945, he was grazed by a bullet as he delivered ammo to a forward unit near the town of Oerlinghausen in Germany.[2] Lentz lost his upper lip in the incident and spent 30 days in hospital.[2] For his actions, he was awarded a Purple Heart and an oak leaf cluster for his Bronze Star.[2]
Lentz rejoined his unit as it approached Berlin before the city was taken over by Russian forces.[2] He spent weeks on occupation duty before he boarded a ship bound for the Pacific.[2] The war ended during his journey there and Lentz instead returned to the United States.[2]
Lentz was assigned to Fort Knox in Kentucky and played basketball for the base team against college basketball teams.[2] He scored 10 points while starting at center in a game against the Kentucky Wildcats.[2]
Lentz was discharged from service and returned home to graduate from West York High School in 1946.[1][2] He played basketball as he attended York College of Pennsylvania for half a season in 1947.[1]
Playing career
editLentz began his professional career in the Eastern Professional Basketball League (EPBL) with York Victory A.C. on a $25 a game contract.[2][4] He led the league in scoring with 576 points during his rookie season in 1948–49.[5] He received a raise to $35 a game during his second year in the league.[2] Lentz was selected to the All-EPBL Second Team in the 1949–50 season.[4] The York team failed to make enough money so it dissolved and Lentz moved to the Pottsville Packers.[2]
Lentz was recruited to play for the Baltimore Bullets of the National Basketball Association but turned down the offer because he had to relocate and received no financial improvements.[1][6]
Lentz played baseball for multiple teams in the Southern York County League.[1] Lentz helped to establish the Salvation Army Softball League in 1964.[1] He served as a basketball official in York County for the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association from 1964 to 1974.[1] Lentz played basketball and softball in YMCA leagues until the age of 60.[1]
Later life
editLentz was employed at Rehmeyer, Inc, for over 20 years.[1] He was the owner of a bowling alley from 1970 to 1980.[1] Lentz worked for York College of Pennsylvania as a maintenance supervisor until his retirement in 1994.[1][2]
Aged 90, Lentz began speaking engagements at local nursing homes where he recounted his personal experiences during World War II.[1]
Lentz died at York Hospital on December 8, 2018, aged 92.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Arthur Lentz Obituary (1926 - 2018)". York Daily Record. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Argento, Mike (March 8, 2018). "'You got a pretty good wound there': A York WWII vet's story of war and basketball". York Daily Record. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
- ^ McClure, Jim (April 8, 2013). "North Codorus Township's Diehl's one-room school, aka 'Corn-Cob College,' remembered". York Daily Record. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
- ^ a b "Art Lentz minor league basketball statistics". Stats Crew. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
- ^ "1948-49 Eastern Professional Basketball League Leaders". Stats Crew. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
- ^ Seip, Jim (December 11, 2018). "Longtime West York supporter, former basketball standout Art Lentz dies". York Daily Record. Retrieved April 30, 2022.