A top college basketball player, he was a key figure in two point shaving scandals in the 1950's and 1960's that almost caused the NBA to collapse, thus ending pro basketball in the U.S. He played briefly in the NBA in 1954, participating in 29 games for the Fort Wayne Pistons. An extremely intelligent man, he was able to manipulate thousands of college and pro players to "throw" games in order to win at gambling. He served several years in prison for his actions. Eventually, Molinas became involved in the various mob families, who appreciated his tips and looked the other way when he didn't return large loans they made to him.
Finally, in 1975, his luck ran out. Refusing to replay a $300,000 loan that he made to Los Angeles mobsters, Molinas was gunned down in the backyard of his Hollywood Hills home at 9246 Thrush Way. His killers were later caught and sentenced to prison. Several books were written about his life, including the 2001 best seller by Charley Rosen, "The Wizard of Odds, How Jack Molinas almost ruined the game of basketball"
Finally, in 1975, his luck ran out. Refusing to replay a $300,000 loan that he made to Los Angeles mobsters, Molinas was gunned down in the backyard of his Hollywood Hills home at 9246 Thrush Way. His killers were later caught and sentenced to prison. Several books were written about his life, including the 2001 best seller by Charley Rosen, "The Wizard of Odds, How Jack Molinas almost ruined the game of basketball"
A top college basketball player, he was a key figure in two point shaving scandals in the 1950's and 1960's that almost caused the NBA to collapse, thus ending pro basketball in the U.S. He played briefly in the NBA in 1954, participating in 29 games for the Fort Wayne Pistons. An extremely intelligent man, he was able to manipulate thousands of college and pro players to "throw" games in order to win at gambling. He served several years in prison for his actions. Eventually, Molinas became involved in the various mob families, who appreciated his tips and looked the other way when he didn't return large loans they made to him.
Finally, in 1975, his luck ran out. Refusing to replay a $300,000 loan that he made to Los Angeles mobsters, Molinas was gunned down in the backyard of his Hollywood Hills home at 9246 Thrush Way. His killers were later caught and sentenced to prison. Several books were written about his life, including the 2001 best seller by Charley Rosen, "The Wizard of Odds, How Jack Molinas almost ruined the game of basketball"
Finally, in 1975, his luck ran out. Refusing to replay a $300,000 loan that he made to Los Angeles mobsters, Molinas was gunned down in the backyard of his Hollywood Hills home at 9246 Thrush Way. His killers were later caught and sentenced to prison. Several books were written about his life, including the 2001 best seller by Charley Rosen, "The Wizard of Odds, How Jack Molinas almost ruined the game of basketball"
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
