Jerry Nemer

Jerome Nemer (January 7, 1912 – December 7, 1980) was an American athlete and attorney. He played college basketball at the University of Southern California (USC) where he became the first Jew to captain a major athletic team at that school. After basketball, Nemer practiced law in the Los Angeles area and was a partner in the firm Buchalter, Nemer, Fields and Younger.

Early life and education

Nemer was born in Evansville, Indiana in 1912 and moved to Southern California as a baby. He was an All-City basketball player for Los Angeles High School. He enrolled at USC in the fall of 1929 to play for the basketball and baseball teams. Sam Barry, who coached both sports, felt that the basketball team needed more help, so Nemer quit baseball to focus on basketball. Nemer also became the first Jew to captain a major athletic team during his time at USC.

Basketball career

Nemer earned three varsity letters while playing with the basketball team from 1930–31 through 1932–33. In 1930–31, his sophomore year, he averaged 7.8 points per game in league play, which was the 10th highest average in the Pacific Coast Conference (PCC).

After college, Nemer played basketball in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) for the Firestone Non-Skids for several years. He became an AAU basketball referee in 1942.

Legal career

In 1948 Nemer formed a law firm with Irwin Buchalter and Murray Fields called Buchalter, Nemer, Fields and Younger. During his time at the firm he became a well-known attorney.

Personal life

Nemer died in December 1980 after battling leukemia. To commemorate his life, USC created the Jerome Nemer Lecture Series. The series was created to explore Jewish thinkers' contributions to Western life.