| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1899-02-03)February 3, 1899 Nevada, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | April 29, 1970(1970-04-29) (aged 71) Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Career information | |
| High school | |
| College | Westminster (MO) (1919–1921) |
| Playing career | 1920–1929 |
| Position | Center |
| Career history | |
| 1920–1922 | Kansas City AC |
| 1922–1927 | Hillyard Shine Alls |
| 1927–1929 | Cook's Painter Boys |
| Career highlights | |
| |
| Basketball Hall of Fame | |
| Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame | |
Forrest Sale "Red" DeBernardi (February 3, 1899 – April 29, 1970) was an Americancollege basketball player in the 1920s. Standing 6 ft. 1 inches tall, DeBernardi was one of the bestcenters of his era, and played all five positions. Born inNevada, Missouri, he attendedWestminster College where he played from 1919 to 1921. DeBernardi also competed in tennis, baseball, and track and field at Westminster College.[1] On January 19, 1920, he made 24field goals againstMissouri Wesleyan, a school record that stands to this day. DeBernardi then transferred to theUniversity of Kansas in order to be closer to theKansas City Athletic Club so that he could compete for them in theAmateur Athletic Union (AAU). He did not play for the university, however.
Following his impressive collegiate career, DeBernardi became an outstanding AAU player. Between 1920 and 1929, when he played withKansas City Athletic Club (1920–22),Hillyard Shine Alls (1922–27) andCook's Painter Boys (1927–29), he played in 10 national AAU tournaments and was named to theAAU All-American team five times. DeBernardi was also anAAU national champion five times.
In 1938 theAssociated Press selected DeBernardi as the center on its All-Time All America college basketball team. He was also awarded with theHelms Athletic Foundation Hall of Fame Award in 1952. In 1961, DeBernardi was elected to theBasketball Hall of Fame. In 2006, he was elected posthumously into theNational Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.