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John L. Kline lettered in basketball and track, but his greatest accomplishments came on the court. Kline was an All-American forward during the 1952-53 basketball season. During that same season, Kline was named MVP of the Wayne State team as well as the Motor City Tournament MVP at the University of Detroit Christmas Tournament.
Kline enjoyed a seven year stay with the Harlem Globetrotters which ran from 1953-59. He finished his basketball career in the Eastern Pro League.
Kline ranks in the top ten on the all-time WSU categories of field goal attempts, field goals made, and points scored. During his Wayne State playing days, Kline was known as "JUMPING" Johnny Kline.
During his track career at Wayne, Kline set a school record in the hop, step, and jump with a leap of 47'10". He also excelled in the high jump with a leap of 6'6 7/8", which contributed to his berth in the finals of the 1952 Olympic trials. His hop, step, and jump mark still stands as a university record.
Kline was selected for induction into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.
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