Matt Guokas Sr.

Matthew Guokas Sr.
Personal information
Born(1915-11-11)November 11, 1915
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedDecember 9, 1993(1993-12-09) (aged 78)
Flourtown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High schoolSaint Joseph's
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
CollegeSaint Joseph's (1934–1938)
Playing career1938–1947
PositionForward
Number14
Career history
1938–1939Wilkes-Barre Barons
1941–1945Trenton Tigers
1946–1947Philadelphia Warriors
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Matthew George Guokas Sr. (/ˈɡkəs/ GOO-kəs;[1] November 11, 1915 – December 9, 1993) was an American professional basketball player and broadcaster. He was the son of Lithuanian immigrants.[2]

A 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) forward from Saint Joseph's University, Guokas played one season with the Philadelphia Warriors of the BAA (a precursor to the NBA). He averaged 1.7 points during the Warriors' 1946–47 championship season. After losing his right leg in an automobile accident,[3] Guokas turned to broadcasting, and he served as an announcer for the National Football League's Philadelphia Eagles from 1953 to 1985. He was also the public address announcer for Philadelphia Phillies baseball games at Connie Mack Stadium in 1965 to 1966, succeeding the late Pete Byron, and replaced by Eddie Ferenz. [4][5]

His son Matt Guokas Jr. played in the NBA from 1966 to 1976, and later coached the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic and worked as a broadcaster for the NBA on NBC and other sports networks.

Guokas and his son, Matt Jr., were the first father-son duo to both win NBA championships as players; this feat has since been repeated by the Barrys (Rick and Brent), the Waltons (Bill and Luke), the Thompsons (Mychal and Klay), and the Paytons (Gary and Gary II).

  1. ^ "Scouting Reports". Sports Illustrated. December 6, 1965. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  2. ^ Wessel, Harry (October 15, 1992). "Coach Matt Guokas – Cool, In Control". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  3. ^ Downey, Sally A. (June 21, 2011). "Joan E. Burnham Guokas, teacher, in NBA family". Philly.com. Retrieved November 23, 2018. In June 1947, he lost his right leg in an auto accident.
  4. ^ "13 Feb 1965, Page 19 - Courier-Post at". Newspapers.com. February 13, 1965. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  5. ^ "23 Mar 1967, 15 - Evening Herald at". Newspapers.com. March 23, 1967. Retrieved June 5, 2022.