By: Curtis J. Phillips

George Lloyd Andrews (born September 18, 1917, Victoria, B.C.) was one of the first Canadian basketball players to show his talents south of the border when he joined the University of Oregon Ducks for the 1939-40 school year.

He had some big shoes to fill as the Ducks were defending NCAA champions as they had defeated Ohio State 46-33 at Northwestern University gymnasium March 27, 1939 for the original title.

The Ducks had had a 29-5 season in 1938-39.

The Tall Firs were cut down to size for the 1939-40 season winning 19 games while losing 12.

Andrews played in 27 games, dropping in 72 points for 2.6 points per game (ppg) average.

The team, and Andrews, played even for the 1940-41 campaign with an 18-18 record. The Victoria, British Columbia native averaged 6.4 ppg while playing all 36 games. His total was 233 points.

Two things changed for Andrews prior to the 1941-42 season. He changed his jersey number from 14 to 4 and he was named Ducks' team captain.

Unfortunately the Ducks had their first losing season in nearly 10 years with a 12-15 record (previous was in 1932-33 with 8-19)

On a positive note though, Andrews averaged a career high 6.8 ppg with 184 points in 27 games.

He finished his collegiate career with a 5.4 ppg average while scoring 489 points in 90 games.

Despite statements in previous historical literature, the University of Oregon media relations department confirmed on October 2, 2006, that according to their records and archives, that George “Porky” Andrews did not earn any All-America or All-Conference honors.

Ducks players who did reach all-star status during Andrews's playing days were John Dick (1939-40) and Vic Townsend (1940-41)

Andrews was coached all three years by the legendary Howard Hobson (1935-47 with a 212-124 record or .631 winning percentage).

He also played for Island Air Force and No. 4 Saskatoon R.C.A.F. Cranes during the Second World War

Andrews then suited up for the Vancouver Hornets in the Pacific Coast Professional Basketball League (PCPBL 1946-48).

Team members for the inaugural year were Norm Baker, Arthur Chapman, Reg Clarkson, Ken lawn, Ritchie Nicol, Doug Peden and Sykes...first name unknown.

The team was a high-scoring one as they set a PCPBL record for most points in a game during the 1947-48 season, dropping 97 against Astoria Royal Chinooks on December 27, 1947.

The Hornets finished near the top both seasons with records of 24-14 in the regular season and 6-6 in the playoffs (1946-47) along with 29-23 for the regular season in (1947-48).

His Hornets teammates for the 1947-48 campaign were Baker, Chapman, Lawn, Nicol, Bill (Stretch) Osterhaus, Peden, Dave Teyema, Jack Vaughn and Dean White

In 1946-47 Andrews was one of two Canadians, along with Hornets ' teammate Baker, to play in the World Professional Basketball Tournament (WPBT) with the Portland Indians.

The Indians lost their only game played 62-48 to the Sheboygan Redskins.

Indianapolis Kautskys would win the championship led by Arnie Risen (future four-time NBA all star).

The WBBT was sponsored by the Chicago Herald-American newspaper and featured professional teams from the various professional leagues at the time.

Baker was without a doubt the greatest player Andrews had ever teamed with.

Named Canada's Basketball Player of the Half Century (1900-50), Baker had played professionally for the Chicago Stags of the Basketball Association of America and was the top scorer in the PCPCL history.

In 1946-47 he was second to Gale Bishop of the Bellingham Fircrests scored 771 (19.9 ppg) to Baker's 694 (18.8) points while in 1947-48 Baker averaged 22.6 ppg.

Baker would also play a few years with the Boston Whirlwinds and New York Celtics the opponents (foils) of the Harlem Globetrotters.

Andrews would also win several Canadian national titles highlighted by the 1935 Victoria Blue Ribbons, which had showcased his talents to the Ducks. Another impressive national championship came with the 1946 Victoria Dominoes.

Andrews also found the winning formula for coaching while leading the Victoria High School Totems to provincial titles in 1959, 1962 and 1969.

Andrews died May 26, 1999.

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