Andy Kostecka (1921–2007)

Basketball Association of America player for the Indianapolis Jets.[51]

What is Andy Kostecka (1921–2007) known for?

Andy Kostecka, born on February 10, 1921, in Newark, New Jersey was an American professional basketball player. He stands out as a noteworthy alumni from Bloomfield High School in Bloomfield, New Jersey. He later attended Georgetown College where he displayed an impressive athletic performance in basketball.

In the 1948 BAA draft, Kostecka was picked by the Indianapolis Jets. He played as a forward during the 1948–1949 BAA season with the Jets, proving his talent on the court. Over his career, he scored 135 points (averaging 6.4 points per game) and contributed 14 assists (0.7 assists per game).

Interestingly, basketball wasn't the only field in which Kostecka made significant strides. Following his retirement from the sport, he transitioned into service with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Department of Commerce. Additionally, he served as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army during World War II, proving his diverse skills and dedication to his nation. He was General Douglas MacArthur's Russian interpreter and was among the first group of Americans to enter Nagasaki after the atomic bombing of the city. His remains now rest in Arlington National Cemetery.

His legacy continues through his grandson, Andrew Kostecka III, who played for Loyola (Maryland) and now plays in Israel. For detailed stats on Andy Kostecka's basketball career, you can refer to his player information on both NBA.com and Basketball-Reference.com.