University of Michigan
He played collegiately for the University of Michigan from 1936 to 1938. Townsend was named to the All-Big Ten team and led Michigan in scoring each year from 1936-1938. Considered the greatest Michigan basketball player in the era before Cazzie Russell, Townsend was six feet, four inches (102 mm) tall.
Known as the “Houdini of the Hardwood,” Townsend scored 108 points in 1936 and was the only sophomore selected for the All-Big Ten team. The Associated Press chose Townsend as the All-Big Ten center in 1936 even though he played regularly at forward throughout the season.
In 1937, Townsend was named to the All-Big Ten year for the second consecutive year and finished second in scoring in the Big Ten. He had 40 field goals, made 43 out of 59 free throws, and had 123 points. Described by the AP as "the great Wolverine ball-handler," Townsend was again named as a center. He was "generally credited with being the best ball handler in the Big Ten."
In 12 games in 1938, Townsend had 45 field goals, converted 45 of 64 free throws, and finished fourth in the conference with 135 points. He was named an All-Big Ten player by both the United Press and the Associated Press for the third straight year. The United Press noted that Townsend was a unanimous choice for the second consecutive year. Though Purdue's Jewell Young was the Big Ten scoring leader in 1938, Townsend excelled as a scorer, rebounder, and ball-handler. The United Press said: "It was Townsend's third year on the all-star team. He won his first recognition as a center, twice more as a forward. Players, especially, conceded Townsend was the greatest all-around man in the conference." The Associated Press said: "John (Jake) Townsend of Michigan won the center assignment by a big margin and in 'making' the team for the third consecutiveyear, accomplished a rare feat in Big Ten basketball. Rated as the greatest player in Michigan hardwood history, Townsend received first place votes, either at forward or center, from nine coaches. The other one picked him for the second five."
In 1938, he became the fourth consensus All-American in school history. Townsend also competed for Michigan in the shot put and discus. He was ranked fifth in the country in the discus. He earned five varsity letters at Michigan – three in basketball and two in track.
Read more about this topic: John Townsend (basketball)
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