Pittsburgh Rens

The Pittsburgh Rens, based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, played in the American Basketball League (ABL), the 1961 league founded by Abe Saperstein, from 1961 until the league folded on December 31, 1962. Neil Johnston, who had just left a top-league coaching job, was the first coach.

In September 1961 the Rens signed Connie Hawkins. He led the ABL in scoring at 27.5 points a game and was named most valuable player. He is now in the Naismith Hall of Fame. The Rens finished 41-40, and lost an overtime playoff game to San Francisco, 107-103.

The Rens were 12-10 when the ABL folded partway through the 1962-63 season, so the team lasted a season and a bit.