Alonzo Lewis "Lon" Darling (June 25, 1902 – April 19, 1951) was an early influencer in American professional basketball, having created the barnstorming team the Oshkosh All-Stars, is credited with being the organizer of the National Basketball League (NBL), and was a two-time NBL Coach of the Year.
[1][2] The Oshkosh All-Stars saw great success over their twelve-year tenure in the NBL, winning the Western Division six times and the league championship twice, in 1941 and 1942.
[3] Bitter that the All-Stars were not invited to join the rival league of the day—the Basketball Association of America, whose teams enjoyed bigger arenas and more funding—Darling accused the Minneapolis Lakers of being "trouble makers" by switching leagues and incited a feud.
[1][6] Lon's brother was Bernard "Boob" Darling, a professional football player for the Green Bay Packers who spent his entire five-year career with the organization.
[3] The below season records reflect Darling's tenure as head coach when the Oshkosh All-Stars were in the NBL.