Philadelphia Hebrews

The Philadelphia Sphas were a team that competed in both the Eastern Basketball League and American Basketball League. The Sphas were organized in 1917 as an amateur team by legendary coach Eddie Gottlieb, Harry Passon and Hughie Black shortly after their high school graduation. The team first played their home games in social halls and, later, in the ballroom of the Broadwood Hotel. After World War II, they played some games in the Philadelphia Arena.

The name "Spha" was originally an acronym, derived from South Philadelphia Hebrew Association, the organization that purchased the players' uniforms. The team featured many eastern U.S. top college graduates, including Harry Litwack, Cy Kaselman, Davey Banks, Moe Goldman, Shikey Gotthofer, Mendy Snyder, Irv Torgoff, Red Wolfe, Max Posnack, Gil Fitch and Jerry Fleishman. All but a few Sphas players were Jewish during the club's many years of amateur and professional existence.

The Sphas, who came to be known as the "Hebrews", eventually morphed into the NBA's first champion, the 1946-47 Philadelphia Warriors. Always a team of considerable prowess, the Sphas were the most dominant team in the ABL, capturing 7 league championships in 13 seasons. Pay homage.

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