&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:Nik_Lali%C4%87_u_Pranjanima_1944.png) Lalich in 1944 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 8, 1916 Lorain, Ohio |
| Died | May 11, 2001 (aged 85) Baltimore, Maryland |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Career information | |
| High school | East Technical (Cleveland, Ohio) |
| College | Ohio (1935–1938) |
| Playing career | 1938–1946 |
| Position | Guard |
| Career history | |
| 1938–1942 | Cleveland May Co. |
| 1945–1946 | Youngstown Bears |
Nikola Andrew Lalich (May 8, 1916 – May 11, 2001)[1] was a Serbian American[1] professional basketball player. He played for the Youngstown Bears in the National Basketball League (NBL) during the 1945–46 season.[2] He was a star college basketball player at Ohio University in the 1930s, where he earned a bachelor's degree in industrial arts. Later, Lalich earned a master's degree from Columbia University in New York. His younger brother, Pete Lalich, played four seasons in the NBL and one game in the BAA.
Nick Lalich also served with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS; predecessor of CIA) during World War II, helping to rescue and evacuate approximately 550 downed Allied fliers during Operation Halyard, without losing a single life or plane.[1][3] He later worked for the CIA in Greece from 1952 to 1957.[1]
- ^ a b c d "Nick Lalich". Peach Basket Society. 2018. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
- ^ "Nick Lalich NBL stats". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
- ^ Garland, Greg (May 15, 2001). "Nick A. Lalich, 85, leader of OSS team that rescued downed air crews in WWII". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved May 14, 2018.