[1] A 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) shooting guard, Rinka is in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) top ten in all-time scoring despite playing before the advent of the three–point line and the shot clock.

[3] Rinka, a Milwaukee, Wisconsin native,[1] did not get serious consideration from any Division I colleges coming out of Shorewood High School[4] due to his size.

[1][2][3] As a senior, he was the first non-Division I recipient of the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award, which was given to the top men's college basketball player under 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) tall.

Among a larger group, he was inducted with players Oscar Robertson (his boyhood idol),[1] John Havlicek, Clark Kellogg, Jerry Lucas and Bob Knight.

[1] In 2016, Rinka was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane letters from Kenyon College for his work in education.