Tony Jaros

Last updated

Tony Jaros
Tony Jaros 1950.jpeg
Jaros with the Los Angeles Lakers, c. 1950
Personal information
Born(1920-02-22)February 22, 1920
DiedApril 22, 1995(1995-04-22) (aged 75)
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school Edison (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
College Minnesota (1942–1946)
Playing career1946–1951
Position Small forward / shooting guard
Number26, 13
Career history
1946–1947 Chicago Stags
1947–1951 Minneapolis Lakers
Career highlights
Stats at NBA.com  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Stats at Basketball Reference   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

Anthony Joseph Jaros (February 22, 1920 – April 22, 1995) was an American professional basketball player. He won three championships with the Minneapolis Lakers: the NBL championship in 1948, the BAA championship in 1949 and the NBA championship in 1950.

Contents

A 6-foot-3-inch (1.91 m) forward/guard from the University of Minnesota, Jaros played four seasons (1946–1947; 1948–1951) in the Basketball Association of America/National Basketball Association as a member of the Chicago Stags and Minneapolis Lakers. He averaged 5.4 points per game in his BAA/NBA career and won two league championships with the Lakers. He also spent one season in the National Basketball League with the Lakers (1947–1948), winning the NBL title that season.

Jaros' bar, the Tony Jaros' River Garden, in Northeast Minneapolis Minneapolis neighborhood Marshall Terrace (52230299634).jpg
Jaros' bar, the Tony Jaros' River Garden, in Northeast Minneapolis

Jaros went to Edison High School in Northeast Minneapolis, and later owned a well-known bar in that neighborhood that bears his name to this day. Tony Jaros' River Garden bar is home of the "Greenie," a very strong lime-flavored drink made with vodka. The drink was invented more than 50 years ago, and was originally sold informally at softball games by Jaros' son Tommy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the bar began selling "make-your-own-Greenie" kits for customers to make at home during lockdown when the bar was closed. The kits have continued as a St. Patrick's Day offering. [1] The bar has several photos of Jaros, as well as one of his last NBA pension checks, framed on the wall. [2]

BAA/NBA career statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage 3P%  3-point field goal percentage FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high
  Won an NBA championship

Regular season

YearTeamGPFG%FT%RPGAPGPPG
1946–47 Chicago 59.289.707.58.2
1948–49 Minneapolis 59.343.7181.05.8
1949–50 Minneapolis 61.291.7501.03.9
1950–51 Minneapolis 63.307.6312.11.13.8
Career242.306.7022.1.95.4

Playoffs

YearTeamGPFG%FT%RPGAPGPPG
1946–47 Chicago 11.265.710.49.3
1948–49 Minneapolis 10.357.7831.15.8
1949–50 Minneapolis 2.000.500.0.5
1950–51 Minneapolis 7.300.7271.0.92.9
Career30.287.7311.0.76.0

References

  1. Shea, Paul (March 10, 2024). "This Minnesota Bar Offers Up Its Unique Greenie Recipe For St. Patrick's Day". 98.1 - Minnesota's New Country. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
  2. "Tony Jaros". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 28, 2025.