Leo "Ace" Gottlieb (November 28, 1920 – August 16, 1972) was an American professional basketball player. Early and personal life Gottlieb, who was Jewish, was born in New York City, New York. He attended DeWitt Clinton High School in The Bronx, New York. Gottlieb was the uncle of Ron Rothstein, first coach of the Miami Heat. Basketball career Gottlieb played guard. He played for the Philadelphia Sphas in the ABL in 1939–40, the New York Jewels in 1940–42, the New York Americans in 1943–44, and the New York Gothams in 1945–46. He made his debut in the National Basketball Association on November 1, 1946. He played for the New York Knicks in the first game in NBA history, on November 1, 1946, scoring (14 points). He played for the Knicks from 1946–48. BAA career statistics Regular season Playoffs References 1920 births 1972 deaths American men's basketball players Basketball players from New York City DeWitt Clinton High School alumni Guards (basketball) Jewish men's basketball players New York Knicks players Philadelphia Sphas players Sportspeople from Brooklyn 20th-century American Jews