Carl Edgel Shaeffer (October 25, 1924 – October 25, 1974) was an American professional basketball player. He played for the Indianapolis Olympians in the National Basketball Association between 1949–50 and 1950–51 after a collegiate career at the University of Alabama. Shaeffer was Alabama's first-ever professional basketball player. He became a businessman in Indianapolis, Indiana after his short-lived NBA career. Personal life Shaeffer served in the United States Army during World War II and was taken prisoner of war by German forces in Belgium on January 18, 1945. Initially reported missing in action, he was later found to be a prisoner and was released at the end of the war. Following his basketball career, Shaeffer operated a tavern in Brookston, Indiana. He committed suicide by shooting himself on his 50th birthday in 1974. Career statistics NBA Source Regular season Playoffs References 1924 births 1974 suicides 20th-century American businesspeople Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball players United States Army personnel of World War II Basketball players from Indianapolis Forwards (basketball) Indianapolis Olympians players People from Delphi, Indiana Businesspeople from Indiana American men's basketball players Missing in action of World War II American prisoners of war in World War II World War II prisoners of war held by Germany Suicides by firearm in Indiana Undrafted National Basketball Association players