Ray Kuka

Ray Kuka

Kuka in 1948
Personal information
Born	(1922-02-17)February 17, 1922 Havre, Montana
Died	March 27, 1990(1990-03-27) (aged 68) Havre, Montana
Nationality	American
Listed height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight	200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school	Havre (Havre, Montana)
College	Notre Dame (1940–1942) Montana State (1946–1947)
BAA draft	1947: undrafted
Position	Forward
Number	12
Career history
As player:
1947–1949	New York Knicks
As coach:
1949	New York Knicks (interim HC)
Stats at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball Reference

Raphael Eugene "Ray" Kuka (February 17, 1922 – March 27, 1990) was an American professional basketball player.[1] He played in the Basketball Association of America for the New York Knicks during the 1947–48 season and part of the 1948–49 season.[1] Kuka also served briefly as the Knicks' interim head coach for a few games in February 1949.[2] Joe Lapchick, the regular head coach, was hospitalized to treat a stomach disorder.[2] Kuka had also previously served as a team scout.[2]

Kuka played in college for Notre Dame before being drafted into the United States Air Force for World War II.[3] After World War II he returned home and played for Montana State, where he earned all-conference honors.[3]

Following his playing career, Kuka returned to hos hometown of Havre, Montana, where he was a successful high school coach and teacher.[4]

BAA career statistics

Legend
GP	Games played	FG%	Field-goal percentage
FT%	Free-throw percentage	APG	Assists per game
PPG	Points per game	Bold	Career high

Regular season

Year	Team	GP	FG%	FT%	APG	PPG
1947–48	New York	44	.326	.595	.6	5.2
1948–49	New York	8	.278	.556	1.4	3.1
Career		52	.320	.591	.7	4.9

Playoffs

Year	Team	GP	FG%	FT%	APG	PPG
1948	New York	3	.300	1.000	.0	2.7
Career		3	.300	1.000	.0	2.7

References

1. "Ray Kuka NBA stats". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
2. "Montanan' Now Knicks Coach". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. February 8, 1949. p. 17. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
3. "MHSA Athletes' Hall of Fame" (PDF). Montana High School Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 23, 2011. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
4. Vernoy, Lee (May 1, 2020). "Havre GOAT: Ray Kuka: From the Hi-Line to the New York Knicks". Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved August 11, 2020.

External links

• Career statistics from NBA.com  and Basketball Reference