Saint Joseph's University is a private Jesuit university in Philadelphia and Lower Merion, Pennsylvania. The university was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1851 as Saint Joseph's College. Saint Joseph's is the seventh oldest Jesuit university in the United States and one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. It is named after the legal father of Jesus, Saint Joseph. On June 1, 2022, Saint Joseph's University merged with University of the Sciences. The university can now trace its history to February 1821, when 68 apothecaries met in Philadelphia's Carpenters' Hall to establish improved scientific standards and to develop programs to train more competent apprentices and students. They formalized their new association through a constitution, which declared their intent to establish a school of pharmacy to enhance their vocation and to "guard the drug market from the introduction of spurious, adulterated, deteriorated or otherwise mischievous articles, which are too frequently forced into it". Classes began nearly immediately, making it the first institution of higher learning in the United States dedicated to the field of pharmacy. In 1825, the college began publishing the first academic journal in the United States dedicated to pharmacy.
Gus Williams is an American former professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed "the Wizard", he played for the Seattle SuperSonics, winning an NBA championship in 1979. He also played for the Golden State Warriors, Washington Bullets and Atlanta Hawks.
Matthew George Guokas Jr. is an American former professional basketball player and coach. His father, Matt Sr. and uncle, Al, have also played in the NBA.
Samuel Jones was an American professional basketball player who was a shooting guard for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association (NBA). A five-time NBA All-Star, he was known for his quickness and game-winning shots, especially during the NBA playoffs. Jones has the second most NBA championships of any player (10), behind only his teammate Bill Russell (11). He was also one of only three Celtics to be part of each of the Celtics' eight consecutive championships from 1959 to 1966. Jones is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Donald Neil Johnston was an American basketball player and coach. A center, Johnston played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1951 to 1959. He was a member of the Philadelphia Warriors for his entire career. Known for his hook shot, Johnston was a six-time NBA All-Star; he led the NBA in scoring three times and led the league in rebounding once. He won an NBA championship with the Warriors in 1956. After his playing career ended due to a knee injury, Johnston coached in the NBA, in other professional basketball leagues, and at the collegiate level. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 1990.
John Paul McKinney was an American college and professional basketball coach. As a head coach in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with the Los Angeles Lakers, he introduced an up-tempo style of play that became known as Showtime. However, his only season with the Lakers ended prematurely after a bicycle accident. McKinney joined the Indiana Pacers, where he was named NBA Coach of the Year in 1981. He also coached the Kansas City Kings. In addition, he served as an assistant for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Portland Trail Blazers.
David C. Gunther is American former basketball player and coach. He served as the head basketball coach at the University of North Dakota from 1970 to 1988. Gunther played college basketball at the University of Iowa and professional basketball with the San Francisco Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
William C. (Bill) Bridges was an American basketball player who earned an NBA championship and multiple NBA All-Star honors.
The Saint Joseph's Hawks men's basketball team represents Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I, and the team competes in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Saint Joseph's competes as well as part of the Philadelphia Big 5. Their home court is the Hagan Arena. The team is coached by Billy Lange, who was hired on March 28, 2019, after Phil Martelli was fired as head coach on March 19, 2019, after 24 seasons.
Yvon Joseph is a retired Haitian basketball player. He played collegiately at Georgia Tech and appeared in one game in the National Basketball Association. Joseph was the first native Haitian to play NCAA Division I college basketball in the United States.
Norman Grekin was an American professional basketball player. After playing college basketball for La Salle Explorers, he went on to play for the Philadelphia Warriors in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Albert G. Guokas was a professional basketball player who spent one season in the National Basketball Association as a member of the Denver Nuggets and the Philadelphia Warriors during the 1948–49 season. He attended Saint Joseph's University. His brother, Matt Sr. and nephew Matt were also professional basketball players.
Trey McKinney-Jones is an American professional basketball player for Gunma Crane Thunders of the B.League. He played college basketball for the UMKC Kangaroos and the Miami Hurricanes.
DeAndre' Pierre' Bembry is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for Saint Joseph's University. He was named Atlantic 10 Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year in 2016, becoming the first Hawk to receive the honor since Ahmad Nivins in 2009. He was also named first-team All-Atlantic 10 for the second year in a row and was named to the All-Defensive Team. Bembry averaged 17.5 points and 7.6 rebounds a game as a junior. He was drafted 21st overall in the 2016 NBA draft by the Atlanta Hawks.
Charles Brown Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Delaware Blue Coats of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Saint Joseph's Hawks.
Ryan Patrick Daly is an American basketball player who last played for the Agua Caliente Clippers of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Delaware Blue Hens and the Saint Joseph's Hawks.
Jim Boyle was an American former college basketball player and coach. He coached at Saint Joseph's from 1981 to 1990.
Jordan Davante Hall is an American professional basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Austin Spurs of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Saint Joseph's Hawks.
Waite Bellamy is an American former professional basketball player and coach. He played college basketball for the Florida A&M Rattlers and was a draft selection of the St. Louis Hawks in the 1963 NBA draft. Bellamy spent his entire professional career with the Wilmington / Delaware Blue Bombers of the Eastern Professional Basketball League where he won two championships. He was named as the league's Most Valuable Player in 1970. Bellamy worked as a teacher and basketball coach at high schools in Florida after his playing retirement.
