>NBA History > NBL History >

Detroit Eagles

Founded:   1939
Folded:    1941
Location:  Detroit, MI
Arena:     Brodhead Naval Armory
           Also known as: R. Thornton Brodhead Armory
           7600 East Jefferson Avenue
Built in:  1930
Capacity:  3,000
Titles:    0 NBL
           1 WBT



The Eagles moved from Cleveland in 1939 where they were previously known as the White Horses.

The Eagles played from 1939-41. In 1941 most of the men of the team either were drafted or enlisted into the military due to World War II. The Eagles won the 1941 World Professional Basketball Tournament in Chicago with a 39-37 victory over the Oshkosh All-Stars. They returned to the tournament in 1942, but this time lost to Oshkosh 43-41

The Eagles were managed by basketball legend Dutch Dehnert

  Season League W L % Position Division Play-offs
Warren Hyvis Oilers
  1937-1938 MBC 8 6 .571 3rd Eastern Division DNQ
Warren Penns / Cleveland White Horses
  1937-1938 NBL 3 9 .250 5th Eastern Division DNQ
  1938-1939 NBL 14 14 .500 3rd Eastern Division DNQ
Detroit Eagles
  1939-1940 NBL 17 10 .630 2nd Eastern Division Lost Semifinals
  1940-1941 NBL 12 12 .500 3rd Only group Lost Semifinals
 1941-1942 Ind ? ? ? ? ? Played in WBT
 1942-1943 Ind ? ? ? ? ? Folded due to World War II

R. Thornton Brodhead Armory
The Detroit Naval Armory was built in 1930 and is still standing today. Like all other Armories, it served a duel purpose for the citizens of Detroit. It was both an armory and a place for the community to gather.

The armory held about 3,000 people for a basketball game, and was popular amongst basketball players for having a well taken care of floor where slips were uncommon.

Now known as the R. Thornton Broadhead Armory, after the captain of the USS Yantic, a Civil War era gun boat, at the time there Eagles played there it would have been known simply as the Detroit Armory. The name change did not take place until 1942.

Detroit Eagles win world basketball championship
This image here is of the Detroit Eagles after winning the World Professional Basketball Tournament Championship in 1941. The logo you see on the truck door was used for barnstorming and the WPBT, and not during their NBL play. Their NBL logo can be seen on their uniforms.


Eagles guard Buddy Jeannette


Eagles program from 1940-41

Ed Sadowki

Buddy Jeanette passing the ball


Al Cervi of the Rochester Seagrams drives past a Detroit Eagles defender in 1941.