Tony Jaros

Anthony Joseph Jaros was an American professional basketball player. He won three championships with the Minneapolis Lakers: the National Basketball League (United States) champions|NBL championship] in 1948, the BAA championship in 1949 and the NBA championship in 1950.
A forward/guard from the University of Minnesota, Jaros played four seasons in the National [Basketball Association|Basketball Association of America/National Basketball Association] as a member of the Chicago Stags and Minneapolis Lakers. He averaged 5.4 points per game in his BAA/NBA career and won two league championships with the Lakers. He also spent one season in the National Basketball League with the Lakers, winning the NBL title that season.
Image:Minneapolis neighborhood [Marshall Terrace (52230299634).jpg|thumb|right|Jaros' bar, the Tony Jaros' River Garden, in Northeast Minneapolis]
Jaros went to Edison [High School (Minnesota)|Edison High School] in Northeast Minneapolis, and later owned a well-known bar in that neighborhood that bears his name to this day. Tony Jaros' River Garden bar is home of the "Greenie," a very strong lime-flavored drink made with vodka. The drink was invented more than 50 years ago, and was originally sold informally at softball games by Jaros' son Tommy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the bar began selling "make-your-own-Greenie" kits for customers to make at home during lockdown when the bar was closed. The kits have continued as a St. Patrick's Day offering. The bar has several photos of Jaros, as well as one of his last NBA pension checks, framed on the wall.