Holy Cross won the NCAA title in 1947 when Cousy was a freshman and he contributed as part of the Crusaders' second platoon. That year, Holy Cross trailed by a point late to Loyola when Cousy went behind his back for the first time in a game. The move enabled him to score the winning basket with his left hand. But some didn't appreciate his flashiness. Boston had the first pick in the 1950 NBA draft, and Auerbach selected 6-11 center Chuck Share of Bowling Green.
Little men are a dime a dozen.
I'm supposed to win, not go after local yokels. Before the season started, the Stags folded and their best players were distributed throughout the league. Boston wanted Zaslofsky first, Phillip second. In 1952-53, Cousy began his streak of assist championships, averaging 7.7, and was fourth in scoring average at 19.8. In the first round of the playoffs against the Syracuse Nats, Cousy put on a show.