Tom Gola

Tom Gola remains the NCAA's all-time career rebounding leader, anchoring La Salle's 1954 NCAA and 1952 NIT championship teams.

Thomas Joseph Gola was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1933. He attended La Salle University and became one of the most complete college basketball players in history. He won the national championship in 1954 and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. He was a four-time All-American — one of the very few players to earn that distinction in each of his four college seasons. He averaged 20.9 points and 19.0 rebounds per game across his career — the rebounding average among the highest in college basketball history. He was the complete player of his era — capable of scoring, rebounding, defending and passing with equal effectiveness. Philadelphia Warriors selected him in the first round of the 1955 NBA Draft. He went on to win the NBA championship with the Warriors in 1956 and later the New York Knicks. He served as a state representative in Pennsylvania after his basketball career. His La Salle career — four All-American selections, one national championship — is the most decorated in the school's history and one of the finest four-year careers in the early decades of college basketball.

Gola was a versatile 6'6" forward who could play multiple positions effectively, combining excellent court vision with strong rebounding ability. He possessed exceptional basketball IQ and was known for his unselfish play, leadership qualities, and ability to fill up the stat sheet in all categories. His size and skill set made him equally effective scoring, rebounding, and facilitating for teammates.

Gola is considered one of the greatest college basketball players of all time and helped establish La Salle as a national basketball powerhouse during the 1950s. His well-rounded statistical achievements and championship success set a standard for future college stars.

• NCAA champion & Tournament MOP 1954
• NIT champion & MVP 1952
• National Player of the Year 1954 & 1955
• NCAA all-time rebounding leader (2,201)