Pittsburgh Rens

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The Pittsburgh Rens were an American basketball team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that was a member of the American Basketball League. The founder of the ABL, Abe Saperstein, was the owner of the Harlem Globetrotters who had competed for many decades against the New York Rens and eventually bought the rights to the Rens' name. Because of the Pittsburgh Renaissance urban renewal project, it was convenient to coin the "Rens" as an instantly-recognizable name for this new version of a basketball team.

The team existed from 1961 until 1963. The Rens were owned by Lenny Litman, a prominent Pittsburgh businessman.

All of the team's home games were played in the Pittsburgh Civic Arena.

Notable players[edit]

Connie Hawkins, Pro Basketball Hall of Fame


YearLeagueReg. SeasonPlayoffs
1961/62ABL2nd, EasternPreliminary Round
103-107 San Francisco OT[1]
1962/63ABL3rdNo playoff

External links[edit]

Lenny Litman Obit