Ray Hamann
Raymond Henry Hamann was an American professional basketball player and college coach. By playing in the National Basketball League for the Oshkosh All-Stars during the 1937–38 and 1938–39 seasons, Hamann became the first South Dakotan to play organized professional basketball. He also competed for the All-Stars when they were a barnstorming independent team.
Hamann played college basketball at Wisconsin from 1932–33 to 1934–35 and helped guide the Badgers to a co-conference championship as a senior. During his professional career he coached basketball at Kimberly and Appleton high schools. He served in the Navy during World War II. When he returned, Hamann earned a master's degree from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, while also serving as their head men's basketball coach from 1942–43 to 1944–45. Although he compiled a cumulative record of 11 wins and 15 losses, he led the Vikings to a Midwest Conference championship in his first season.
Hamann died on May 7, 2005 in his hometown of Yankton, South Dakota.
