Ray Kuka

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]

Ray Kuka
Kuka in 1948
Personal information
Born(1922-02-17)February 17, 1922
Havre, Montana
DiedMarch 27, 1990(1990-03-27) (aged 68)
Havre, Montana
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High schoolHavre (Havre, Montana)
College
BAA draft1947 / Undrafted
PositionForward
Number12
Career history
As player:
1947–1949New York Knicks
As coach:
1949New York Knicks (interim HC)
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

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

Regular season
Year Team GP FG% FT% APG PPG
1947–48 New York 44.326.595.65.2
1948–49 New York 8.278.5561.43.1
Career 52.320.591.74.9

Playoffs
Year Team GP FG% FT% APG PPG
1948 New York 3.3001.000.02.7
Career 3.3001.000.02.7

References
  1. "Ray Kuka NBA stats". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
  2. "Montanan' Now Knicks Coach". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. February 8, 1949. p. 17. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
  3. "MHSA Athletes' Hall of Fame" (PDF). Montana High School Association. Archived from the original (PDF) 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.


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