Leo Gottlieb

For another person, see Leo Gottlieb (lawyer).

Leo "Ace" Gottlieb (November 28, 1920 – August 16, 1972) was an American professional basketball player.^[1][2]

Leo Gottlieb

Personal information
Born	(1920-11-28)November 28, 1920 New York City, New York
Died	August 16, 1972(1972-08-16) (aged 51)
Nationality	American
Listed height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Listed weight	180 lb (82 kg)
Career information
High school	DeWitt Clinton (Bronx, New York)
Playing career	1939–1948
Position	Guard
Number	9
Career history
1939–1940	Philadelphia Sphas
1940–1942	New York Jewels
1943–1944	New York Americans
1945–1946	New York Gothams
1946–1948	New York Knicks
Stats at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball Reference

Early and personal life

Gottlieb, who was German Jewish, was born in New York City, New York.^[1][3][4] He attended DeWitt Clinton High School in The Bronx, New York.^[1][4]

Gottlieb was the uncle of Ron Rothstein, first coach of the Miami Heat.^[3]

Basketball career

Gottlieb played guard.^[1] He played for the Philadelphia Sphas in the ABL in 1939–40, the New York Jewels in 1940–42, the New York Americans in 1943–44, and the New York Gothams in 1945–46.^[3]

He made his debut in the National Basketball Association on November 1, 1946.^[1][5] He played for the New York Knicks in the first game in NBA history, on November 1, 1946, scoring (14 points).^[3] He played for the Knicks from 1946 to 1948.^[1]

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
1946–47	New York	57	.302	.655	.4	5.9
1947–48	New York	27	.259	.619	.4	4.9
Career		84	.288	.645	.4	5.5

Playoffs

Year	Team	GP	FG%	FT%	APG	PPG
1946–47	New York	4	.256	.667	.3	6.0
Career		4	.256	.667	.3	6.0