About Albert Brightman

Al Brightman (September 22, 1923 – June 10, 1992) was a professional basketball and baseball player and coach.

Born in Eureka, California, Brightman played collegiately for California State University, Long Beach, and was drafted by the Cleveland Indians out of Wilson High School in Long Beach, CA.

He played for the Boston Celtics during the 1946–47 BAA season, appearing in 58 games and becoming the first Celtic to score 20 points in a regular-season game. Brightman later became a player-coach for the Seattle Athletics in the Pacific Coast Professional Basketball League (1947–48).

Coaching Career

Brightman coached Seattle University from 1948 to 1956, achieving 4 NCAA appearances and 1 NIT appearance with a .726 win rate. He later coached the San Francisco Saints (ABL, 1961–62) and the Anaheim Amigos (ABA, 1967–68).

Innovative Coaching Style

Brightman preferred fast-paced play over methodical strategies. In 1952, Seattle U beat NYU 102–100 — the first college game where both teams scored 100+ points.

Johnny O’Brien recalled: “Brightman wouldn’t let us call timeouts… he said we’d run teams out of the building.”

He famously moved O’Brien to center at halftime in a comeback win over Western Washington — O’Brien scored 27 in the second half and remained at center for his career.

Innovative Coaching Style

After leaving Seattle U, Brightman became a local TV personality and later moved to L.A., earning an English degree from Long Beach State. He worked as a high school teacher and coach.

He returned briefly to pro coaching in the ABL and ABA before retiring.

He was posthumously inducted into Seattle University’s Hall of Fame in 2008.

Key Facts

  • Hired by Seattle U at age 24 to coach basketball and baseball.
  • All-state player at Wilson High School; scored 25 PPG at Morris Harvey College.
  • Joined the Navy during WWII; top catching prospect for the Cleveland Indians.
  • Suffered a shoulder injury ending baseball prospects.
  • Second-leading scorer for Celtics in 1946; joined Seattle Athletics as player-coach.
  • Seattle U hired him after the Pacific Coast League folded in 1948.
  • Helped bring down Harlem Globetrotters and was a Seattle sports icon in the ’50s.

Famous Victory

In 1952, Seattle U defeated the Harlem Globetrotters 84–81, with Johnny O’Brien scoring 43 points — a landmark in Seattle sports history.

Connections & Personality

Brightman was known for his charisma and wide network — including friendships with Chuck Connors, Bobby Riggs, Bob Lemon, and Jerry Tarkanian.

"I just thought Brightman was the greatest,” Harney said. “You would run through a wall for him because of his personality, his competitiveness and his congeniality. I can’t say enough about him. He has had a fabulous impact on my life."
- Jim Harney
"O’Brien recently pondered the irony that Brightman could have had a career like Wooden, who won the first of his 10 NCAA titles eight years after his altercations with Brightman. “I think Brightman deserves more credit than was ever afforded to him,” said Johnny O’Brien. “Maybe that’s because he got in a scuffle with a legend. But Brightman was the guy who put it together (at Seattle U). He was a marvelous guy.” “He was a dominating, positive influence on the people he worked with. That’s about the best way I can describe him."
- Johnny O’Brien