Frank Brian

Frank Sands Brian (May 1, 1923 – May 14, 2017) was an American professional basketball player.

Brian was the third cousin of fellow NBA player Bob Pettit. Despite being a first round draft pick, Pettit was initially reluctant to play in the NBA until Brian successfully persuaded him to do so.

A 6’1" guard from Louisiana State University, Brian signed with the Anderson Packers of the National Basketball League in 1947. In 1949 the NBL and BAA merged to form the NBA. He scored 2,442 points in three seasons with the Packers, then joined the Chicago Stags of the NBA when the Packers franchise folded following the 1949–1950 season. The Stags quickly traded Brian to the Tri-Cities Blackhawks, whom Brian represented as an NBA All-Star in 1951.

Brian also earned All-NBA Second Teams honors in 1951 after averaging 16.8 points, 3.9 assists and 3.6 rebounds. Frank Led Tri-Cities Blackhawks (now "Atlanta Hawks") in scoring in 1951.Frank was 5th in the League with his 1,144 points for the Blackhawks during 1951–1952 season. In May 1951, the Blackhawks traded Brian to the Fort Wayne Pistons for Howie Schultz and Dick Mehen. Frank led Ft. Wayne Pistons (now "Detroit Pistons") in scoring in 1952 & 1953, ranking 6th in the league with 1,051 points during the 1951–52 season. Brian had five productive seasons with the Pistons, who went to the NBA Championships in 1955 and 1956, and he retired in 1956 with 6,663 combined NBL/NBA career points.

• Basketball All-American at LSU and 2-time All-Southeast Conference.
• National All-AAU Basketball Team.
• National Basketball League All-Rookie (1947)
• 2-Time NBL All-Star (1948,1949)
• Nicknamed "Flash" for being one of the League's fastest players.
• NBA Basketball Pioneer...played in first 7 seasons of NBA history (1949–1956)
• Played in first two NBA All-Star games (1951,1952)
• All-NBA (1950,1951)
• Led Tri-Cities Blackhawks (now "Atlanta Hawks") in scoring in 1951.
• Was 5th in the League with his 1,144 points for the Blackhawks during 1951–1952 season.
• Ranked 6th in the league with 1,051 points during the 1951–52 season with the Fort Wayne Pistons.
• Led Ft. Wayne Pistons (now "Detroit Pistons") in scoring in 1952 & 1953.
• Ranked in Top-6 in NBA in scoring for 3 consecutive seasons (1950,1951,1952)
• Led NBA in Games Played in 1952 (66)
• 2nd Best Free Throw Percentage in NBA in 1955 (85.1%)
• Played in 1955 and 1956 NBA Championships.
• Played in first NBA Championship Series of the Shot Clock Era (1955)
• Scored 6,663 points in 10-year professional career.
• Inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 1986.
• Inducted into the LSU Hall of Fame on September 13, 2013.

Brian died on May 14, 2017, in Zachary, Louisiana, aged 94.