1948 Topps Magic Photo Ralph Beard (basketball)
 

I picked this up for $5.58 because it's a basketball player. Then I read Ralph Beard was banned from the NBA because of a college point shaving scandal in 1951?

CCNY point shaving scandal
In October 1951, authorities charged him along with his former teammates Alex Groza and Dale Barnstable with taking bribes as part of the 1951 NCAA point shaving scandal. They pleaded guilty and received suspended sentences but the NBA Commissioner Maurice Podoloff banned all three for life from the NBA. Beard admitted that he took $700 but denied that he had ever shaved points in a game He claimed that Frank Hogan, the New York district attorney, conspired with Podoloff of the NBA and Cardinal Francis Spellman, the Archbishop of New York to go after Midwestern players in an effort to protect players at Catholic colleges.

(these cards are the size of a postage stamp)

https://www.net54baseball.com/pictur...ictureid=35679https://www.net54baseball.com/pictur...ictureid=35680

Good condition for those. Groza was legit, miles above everyone in FG percentage, even Mikan. Beard had two all-NBA seasons.

Too bad. They could've had great careers.

Larry - You did well you old geezer you Attachment 564966

They created an NBA franchise around Beard and 3 of his Kentucky teammates: Alex Groza, Cliff Barker and Wah Wah Jones. All four of them also won a gold medal at the 1948 Olympics. Thus, the Indianapolis Olympians. The first year team also included Kentucky teammates Joe Holland and Jack Parkinson.

Are there any good books dealing with this era? All I have is 24 Seconds To Shoot

Good book
 

I have a good book from the era.. but not about the era.