Max Zaslofsky

Max "Slats" Zaslofsky (December 7, 1925 – October 15, 1985) was an American professional basketball player and coach.

Early life

Zaslofsky, who was Jewish, was the son of Russian immigrant parents. He grew up in Brooklyn and spent many hours as a child on the playgrounds trying to perfect his two-handed set shot. Raised in the predominantly Jewish section of Brownsville, he attended Thomas Jefferson High School, where he was an All-PSAL selection. He graduated from high school in 1943 and then spent two years in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

College career

He attended St. John's University, where he played basketball for one season. The 20-year-old Zaslofsky started at guard and averaged 7.8 points per game. He was named honorable mention All-Metropolitan as St. John's posted a 17-5 record and played in the postseason National Invitation Tournament (NIT).

Professional career

After his freshman season, he left St. John's to join the Chicago Stags of the newly organized Basketball Association of America, the forerunner of the National Basketball Association.