Former Syracuse Nationals player Bill Kenville dies at age 87

Members of the 1955 Syracuse Nationals team that won the NBA title included (left to right) Paul Seymour, George King, coach Al Cervi, Billy Kenville and Bill Gabor.(Photo courtesy the Onondaga Historical Association)

By

Syracuse, N.Y. -- Bill Kenville, who played on the Syracuse Nationals' 1955 NBA championship team, has died.

Kenville's son, Mark, said his father passed away on Tuesday.

Kenville played at St. Bonaventure from 1950 to 1953. The Nationals selected him in the third round of the 1953 draft.

He spent the next three seasons with the Nationals. In the 1954-55 season, Kenville played alongside greats like Dolph Schayes and Earl Lloyd as the Nationals captured the NBA title. He averaged 7.1 points per game that season.

Kenville later spent one season with the Fort Wayne Pistons before the franchise moved to Detroit. He played with the Detroit Pistons for two more years.

He finished with career averages of 7.1 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.