Vince Boryla was an American basketball player, coach, and executive who had a distinguished career in the sport. Known as “Moose,” he was an NBA All-Star, Olympic gold medalist, and NBA Executive of the Year. He has played his whole career in the National Basketball Association with the New York Knicks as a player.
Player Profile and Personal Life
Vincent Joseph Boryla was born on March 11, 1927, in East Chicago, Indiana, USA. He stood 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighed 210 pounds during his playing career. Boryla was married to Mary Jo and had five children.
He passed away on March 27, 2016, in Denver, Colorado, due to complications from pneumonia.
| Position | Power Forward |
| Height / weight | 1.96 m / 95 kg |
| Born | 11 Mar 1927 |
| Died | 27 Mar 2016 (89 years) |
| Nationality |
United States
|
| Playing Style | Right Handed |
| Nickname | Moose |
| Team History | |
New York
|
1949 - 1954 |
High School and College Career
Boryla attended Washington High School in East Chicago, Indiana, where he excelled in basketball. He began his collegiate career at the University of Notre Dame before transferring to the University of Denver after serving in the U.S. Air Force during World War II.
At Denver, Boryla became one of the nation’s top players and earned Consensus first-team All-American honors in 1949. He remains the only consensus All-American in Pioneer men’s basketball history.
Professional Career
Boryla joined the New York Knicks in the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which later became the NBA, in 1949. Over his five-year playing career with the Knicks, he was selected as an NBA All-Star in 1951. He also played in two NBA Finals (1951 and 1953).
After retiring as a player in 1954, Boryla transitioned into coaching for the Knicks from 1955 to 1958, compiling a record of 80–85 over three seasons.
Executive Career
Boryla later became a successful basketball executive.
He served as General Manager for several teams, including the ABA’s Utah Stars and Denver Nuggets. As GM of the Nuggets during their transition to the NBA, Boryla orchestrated key trades that helped Denver reach the Western Conference Finals in the mid-1980s. For his efforts, he was named NBA Executive of the Year in 1985.
National Team Career
Boryla represented the United States at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London as part of the U.S. men’s basketball team that won the gold medal.
Career Highlights:
- 1946 - Second-team All-American (Notre Dame)
- 1949 - Consensus first-team All-American (Denver)
- 1951 - NBA All-Star (New York Knicks)
- 1948 - Gold Medalist (Summer Olympics - London)
- 1985 - NBA Executive of the Year (Denver Nuggets)
Medal Record, Men’s Basketball Representing United States:
- Gold - 1948 Summer Olympics London
