Ray Hamann - Inducted 1983

Born and raised in Yankton. 1931 Yankton grad. Wisconsin. The first South Dakotan to play pro basketball on an organized level, playing seven years with the famed Oshkosh All-Stars, members of a six-team league that was a forerunner to the NBA. Hamann was named all-league in 1940, when Oshkosh won the league title. While in the pros, he began his teaching and coaching career at Kimberly, Wis. High School. His basketball, football and track teams won 13 conference titles in six seasons. Later, he coached Lawrence College's basketball team to its first conference championship in 18 seasons. At Wisconsin, he earned three letters and helped the Badgers to the Big Ten title in 1935. At Yankton, the 6-foot-5 Hamann led the Bucks to three state basketball titles and a runner-up finish from 1928-31. Was named all-state all four years. The 1930-31 team was 31-0 and is considered one of the best teams in state history. At Yankton, he also excelled at football (end and center) and track (state high hurdles champ in 1930).