[2] Auerbach grew up in New York City, attended DeWitt Clinton High School,[3] and enrolled at NYU in the fall of 1937.

[2] As the premier player on the team, Auerbach specialized in defending the opponents' top scorers, and once he even had to play center in a game against Notre Dame.

[4] As a junior in 1939–40, Auerbach helped guide NYU to an 18–0 season record before losing their final game to rival City College of New York (CCNY).

[2] Auerbach was honored with the coveted Haggerty Award, given annually since 1935–36 to the best male collegiate basketball player in the greater New York City area.

[2] By the time he retired professional basketball, Auerbach had played for four teams: the Brooklyn Celtics (1941), Harrisburg Senators (1943), Wilmington Bombers (1943–45) and Paterson Crescents (1945–47).