Ray Kuka
Height6 ft
Height in3
Weight lb200
Birth dateFebruary 17, 1922
Birth placeHavre, Montana, U.S.
Death dateMarch 27, 1990 (aged 68)
Death placeHavre, Montana, U.S.
High schoolHavre (Havre, Montana)
College
Draft leagueBAA
Draft year1947
Career number12
Years 11947–1949
Team 1New York Knicks
Cyears 11949
Cteam 1New York Knicks (interim HC)
Bbrkukara01

Raphael Eugene "Ray" Kuka (February 17, 1922 – March 27, 1990) was an American professional basketball player.[1] He played in the Basketball Association of America for the New York Knicks during the 1947–48 season and part of the 1948–49 season.[1] Kuka also served briefly as the Knicks' interim head coach for a few games in February 1949.[2] Joe Lapchick, the regular head coach, was hospitalized to treat a stomach disorder.[2] Kuka had also previously served as a team scout.[2]

Kuka played in college for Notre Dame before being drafted into the United States Air Force for World War II.[3] After World War II he returned home and played for Montana State, where he earned all-conference honors.[3]

Following his playing career, Kuka returned to hos hometown of Havre, Montana, where he was a successful high school coach and teacher.[4]

BAA career statistics

Legend
  GPGames played FG% Field-goal percentage
 FT% Free-throw percentage APG Assists per game
 PPG Points per game Bold Career high

Regular season

YearTeamGPFG%FT%APGPPG
1947–48New York44.326.595.65.2
1948–49New York8.278.5561.43.1
Career52.320.591.74.9

Playoffs

YearTeamGPFG%FT%APGPPG
1948New York3.3001.000.02.7
Career3.3001.000.02.7

References

  1. ^ "Ray Kuka NBA stats". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
  2. ^ "Montanan' Now Knicks Coach". The Spokesman-Review. February 8, 1949. p. 17. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
  3. ^ "MHSA Athletes' Hall of Fame". Montana High School Association. Archived from the original on June 23, 2011. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
  4. ^ Vernoy, Lee (May 1, 2020). "Havre GOAT: Ray Kuka: From the Hi-Line to the New York Knicks". Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved August 11, 2020.