Jim Springer

{{Short description|American basketball player}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Jim Springer

| image =

| image_size =

| caption =

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 9

| weight_lb = 235

| birth_date = {{birth date|1926|6|17}}

| birth_place = Roachdale, Indiana

| death_date = {{death date and age|2018|02|19|1926|6|17}}

| death_place = Indianapolis, Indiana

| nationality = American

| high_school = New Winchester
(New Winchester, Indiana)

| college =

• Indiana State (1944–1945)
• Canterbury (1945–1947)

| career_start = 1947

| career_end = 1952

| career_number =

| career_position = Center

| years1 = 1947 | team1 = Anderson Duffey Packers

| years2 = 1947–1948 | team2 = Indianapolis Kautskys

| years3 = 1948 | team3 = Indianapolis Jets

| years4 = 1948–1949 | team4 = Bridgeport Newfield Steelers

| years5 = 1951–1952 | team5 = Bridgeport Roesslers

| highlights =

}}

James Elmer Springer (June 17, 1926 - February 19, 2018{{cite web | url=http://www.tributes.com/obituary/show/James-Springer-105858835| title=Obituary| accessdate=July 4, 2018}}) was an American professional basketball player.{{cite web | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sprinji01.html| title=Jim Springer NBA stats| publisher=Sports Reference LLC | work=basketball-reference.com | accessdate=February 17, 2016}} He played in the National Basketball League, Basketball Association of America, and American Basketball League during the early years of modern professional basketball in the United States.{{cite web | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/nbl/players/s/sprinja01n.html| title=Jim Springer NBL stats| publisher=Sports Reference LLC | work=basketball-reference.com | accessdate=February 17, 2016}}{{cite web | url=http://www.apbr.org/ablstats3853.html| title=American Basketball League Statistics 1938–39 to 1952–53| publisher=Association for Professional Basketball Research | work=APBR.org| accessdate=February 17, 2016}} Following a standout high school career,{{cite news |author1=Barry Howe |title=Madison puts 2 on D&C All-Stars; East, West, Franklin boys selected |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108341652/madison-puts-2-on-dc-all-stars-east/ |access-date=26 August 2022 |work=Democrat and Chronicle |date=8 March 1953 |page=49 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}{{cite news |author1=Hans Tanner |title=Jim Springer, Butler top D&C All-Star selections |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/108341716/jim-springer-butler-top-dc-all-star/ |access-date=26 August 2022 |work=Democrat and Chronicle |date=6 March 1955 |page=47 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}} Springer began his collegiate career at Indiana State Teacher's College, where he played one season{{Cite web|url=http://www.e-yearbook.com/sp/eybb?school=849&year=1945&up=2&startpage=123|title = Sign-In}} for Glenn Curtis before completing his collegiate career at Canterbury College in Danville, Indiana.{{cite web | url=http://www.lostcolleges.com/#!canterbury-college/cmr3| title=Canterbury College| publisher=Lost Colleges | accessdate=February 17, 2016}}

At Canterbury, he was a member of the basketball team for three seasons, the football and track teams for two seasons. He was also a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity and the Letterman's Club.{{Cite web|url=http://www.e-yearbook.com/sp/eybb?school=47031&year=1948&up=1&startpage=83|title = Sign-In}} During his senior season, he averaged 20.8 points per game, second best in the Indiana Collegiate Conference behind John Wilson.{{cite news |title=Jim Springer, of Canterbury, will play for Packers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/anderson-daily-bulletin-jim-springer-of/138258017/ |access-date=7 January 2024 |work=Anderson Daily Bulletin |date=24 May 1947 |page=6 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{open access}}