Bumper Tormohlen

Gene Tormohlen
Personal information
Born (1937-05-12) May 12, 1937
Nationality American
Listed height 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight 230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High school Holland (Holland, Indiana)
College Tennessee (1956–1959)
NBA draft 1959 / Round: 2 / Pick: 11th overall
Selected by the Syracuse Nationals
Playing career 1961–1970
Position Power forward / Center
Number 34
Career history
As player:
1961–1963 Kansas City Steers (ABL)
19631970 St. Louis / Atlanta Hawks
As coach:
1976 Atlanta Hawks
Career NBA statistics
Points 1,191 (4.4 ppg)
Rebounds 1,122 (4.1 rpg)
Assists 257 (0.9 apg)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

Eugene R. (Gene, Bumper) Tormohlen (born May 12, 1937) is a retired American professional basketball player and coach. He was born and raised in Holland, Indiana; he attended Holland High and helped lead the Dutchmen to an IHSAA Sectional in 1953.

He was recruited to the University of Tennessee by former Purdue star Emmett Lowery. During his time in Knoxville, Bumper became a 3-year starter, set the Tennessee career rebounding record (1,113 rebounds), an 16.9 rpg rate; was twice named All-SEC and was named to Converse's All-American team and become known to scores of Vols fans as the "Chairman of the Boards."

After his splendid college career at the University of Tennessee, Tormohlen was selected with the fifth pick in the second round of the 1959 NBA Draft by the Syracuse Nationals. However, his first years as a pro were spent in the NIBL with the Cleveland Pipers before being traded to the Kansas City Steers in the fledging American Basketball League. After two seasons in that league, he moved to the NBA, joining the St. Louis Hawks (now the Atlanta Hawks) in 1962. His entire NBA playing career was with the Hawks, and he retired from play in 1970.

Later, Tormohlen became an assistant coach for the Hawks, and served as an interim coach at the end of the 1975-76 season; replacing Cotton Fitzsimmons. The next season, the team hired Hubie Brown as their full-time head coach.

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