The Providence Steamrollers were a Basketball Association of America team based in Providence, Rhode Island.Providence Steam Rollers Franchise Index As of August 2026, the Steamrollers were the last professional sports franchise from one of the Big Four leagues to be based in Rhode Island.
Franchise history The Steamrollers were one of the original eleven NBA franchises (when the league was called the Basketball Association of America). The franchise posted an all-time record of 46–122 (.274) before folding after three seasons.
The Steamrollers still hold the dubious NBA record for the fewest games won in a season with six, in the 1947–48 season, paired with 42 losses. However, the 2011–2012 Charlotte Bobcats hold the record for the lowest winning percentage in NBA history, with .106, the result of a 7–59 record. During that 1947–48 season, the Steamrollers' coach Nat Hickey activated himself as a player for two games, the second of which was two days before his 46th birthday, setting a still-standing record as the oldest player in NBA history.
On August 3, 1949, the Steamrollers would join the Indianapolis Jets as the only teams from the Basketball Association of America side of the BAA-NBL merger in what's now known as the NBA to not join in on the merger and survive as a team. Nine days later, seven of the Steamrollers' players would be bought out and play for the Boston Celtics instead., pg. 423
Christmas Tradition The Steamrollers took on the New York Knicks on Christmas Day in 1947 in the first Christmas Day game in NBA history. The Steamrollers lost the game to the Knicks 89–75 in what would become an annual tradition for the NBA.
Attempts to bring the Steamrollers back In 1980, entrepreneur Robert "Skip" Chernov attempted to bring the Steamrollers back to the NBA, following an earlier revival effort in 1978 and prior to another attempt in 1984. Chernov had purchased the rights to the Steamrollers from Lou Pieri's estate and believed that the NBA bylaws at the time would allow him to resurrect the franchise. The NBA led by Chief Counsel David Stern disagreed, but Chernov, undeterred, sued the NBA. Chernov asked the courts to allow the Steamrollers return to the NBA and to grant them the first overall pick in the 1980 NBA draft. Ultimately, the court ruled in the NBA's favor and the short-lived attempt to resurrect the Providence Steamrollers failed.
Players of note Ernie Calverley – Second-team All-NBA and led league in assists during NBA's first season George Nostrand – Tallest player in the NBA's first year Howie Shannon – Leading NBA rookie in 1949 Nat Hickey – Oldest player in NBA history Kenny Sailors – Led team in scoring in 1948 and 1949
Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Providence Steamrollers Hall of FamersCoachesName Position Tenure InductedKen Loeffler Head coach 1948–1949 1964
Draft +Player nameCollegeYearHowie ShannonKansas State University1949Ed LeedeDartmouth College1949Warren PerkinsTulane University1949Ray CorleyGeorgetown University1949Bob RoyerIndiana State University1949Paul CourteyUniversity of Oklahoma1949Carl SchaefferUniversity of Alabama1949Bill TanzlerUniversity of Florida1949Jack TheolanDePaul University1949Andy TonkovichMarshall University1948Al Bennett Oklahoma State University1948Jack ColemanUniversity of Louisville1948Ed FaberTrinity University1948Verl HeapArizona State University1948Otto SchnellbacherUniversity of Kansas1948Brady WalkerBrigham Young University1948Walt DropoUniversity of Connecticut1947Joe Barry1947Dick FureyUniversity of St. Thomas1947Bob Hubbard Springfield College1947Bob JoyceBates College1947Roy LipscombSt. Mary's College of Maryland1947John MillsHofstra University1947Al NicolasUniversity of Rhode Island1947
Coaches and others Robert Morris (1946–47) Hank Soar (1947–48) Nat Hickey (1948) Ken Loeffler (1948–49)
Season-by-season record BAA champions Division champions Playoff berth
SeasonLeagueDivisionFinishWinsLossesWin%GBPlayoffsAwards 1946–47 BAA Eastern 4th 28 32 21 — — 1947–48 BAA Eastern 4th 6 42 21 — — 1948–49 BAA Eastern 6th 12 48 26 — —Regular season record 46 122 1946–1949Playoff record 0 0
References
External links Providence Steam Rollers history