Roger Kennedy Jorgensen (September 2, 1920 – October 3, 2010)[1] was an American basketball player. He played high school basketball at Taylor Allderdice High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where in 1938 he set the city high school record for most points in a season with 220 points, which stood until 1945.[2]

Roger Jorgensen
Personal information
Born(1920-09-02)September 2, 1920
Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
DiedOctober 3, 2010(2010-10-03) (aged 90)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High schoolTaylor Allderdice
(Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
CollegeOhio State (1939–1941)
Playing career1944–1948
PositionCenter / forward
Number7
Career history
As player:
1944–1945Washington Capitols
1946–1947East Pittsburgh Pirates
1946–1947Pittsburgh Ironmen
1947–1948Zanesville Pioneers
As coach:
1947–1949Waynesburg College (assistant)
1950–1951Waynesburg College
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference

Jorgensen played at the collegiate level at the University of Pittsburgh and Ohio State University.[3][4] His college career was interrupted by World War II, with Jorgensen serving nearly four years in the United States Navy.[5]

Following his stint in the Navy, Jorgensen initially signed with the East Pittsburgh Pirates in December 1946. Later that month, he joined the Pittsburgh Ironmen of the Basketball Association of America.[6] The following season, he played for the Zanesville Pioneers.[7]

Coaching career

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Jorgensen was an assistant coach to Frankie Gustine at Waynesburg College from 1947 to 1949. In 1950, he was hired as the head coach of Waynesburg men's team.[8]

Personal life

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Jorgensen was the brother of former NBA player Noble Jorgensen[9] and Byron Jorgensen who played college basketball for Ohio.[10] His father was Charles Jorgensen, trainer of the Pittsburgh Pirates[9][11]

BAA career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played
 FG%  Field-goal percentage
 FT%  Free-throw percentage
 APG  Assists per game
 PPG  Points per game

Regular season

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Year Team GP FG% FT% APG PPG
1946–47 Pittsburgh 28 .259 .684 .0 1.5
Career 28 .259 .684 .0 1.5

References

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  1. ^ "Roger K. Jorgensen". Legacy.com. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  2. ^ "Ironmen sign Jorgensen". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. December 21, 1946. p. 12. Retrieved January 29, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. 
  3. ^ "Roger Kennedy Jorgensen". National Basketball Association. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  4. ^ Steve Snider (January 6, 1941). "Roger Jorgensen bolsters Bucks' floor title hopes". The Pittsburgh Press. United Press International. p. 19. Retrieved January 30, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. 
  5. ^ "Navy discharges Roger Jorgensen". The Pittsburgh Press. January 6, 1946. p. 15. Retrieved January 30, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. 
  6. ^ "Jorgensen casts lot with Ironmen". The Pittsburgh Press. December 21, 1946. p. 8. Retrieved January 30, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. 
  7. ^ "Jorgensons well known in sports world". The Times Recorder. December 3, 1947. p. 9. Retrieved January 30, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. 
  8. ^ "Jorgensen jacket coach". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. March 8, 1950. p. 14. Retrieved January 30, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. 
  9. ^ a b "Roger Jorgensen going to Pitt". The Pittsburgh Press. January 16, 1946. p. 20. Retrieved January 29, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. 
  10. ^ Paul Kurtz (January 5, 1939). "Allderdice-South contest features city loop openers". The Pittsburgh Press. p. 22. Retrieved January 29, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. 
  11. ^ Milf Schreiber (September 10, 1958). "Liveliest Pirate team in years lets Jorgy's dad enjoy summer". The Sheboygan Press. p. 31. Retrieved January 30, 2024 – via Newspapers.com. 
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