ADDENDUM
This jersey was worn by Ernie Calverly, a local Providence favorite, and MVP of the 9th annual National Invitation College Basketball Tournament between the Rhode Island Rams and the Kentucky Wildcats. Calverly stunned the world with his 55-foot buzzer beater in the first round, a clutch shot which has become a large part of his legacy.
On June 6, 1946 the first meeting of the Basketball Association of America (BAA) took place at the Hotel Commodore in New York. The Providence Steamrollers (owned by Lou Pieri) were among the original members of the league, including the New York Knickerbockers and the Boston Celtics. This was the beginning of what is now the NBA. Here is a golden opportunity to own a jersey from that era. Classic cotton jersey is the only known example of this style. Red with white trim, it was worn by a player from the Providence Steamrollers, one of the oldest professional basketball teams around. The Steamrollers were one of the original 11 teams in the NBA, which was then called the BAA. Front is stitched with “Providence 15” and verso with “15”. The only other distinguishing mark is a size 42 flag tag inside. Jersey has held up remarkably with very little wear.