For four decades, Georgetown did not have an all-America selection at center. In 1948, a future all-American arrived at GU, and left two years later for the Yankee Conference.

That player, all but forgotten today, was John Norris, a 6-5 center from Bangor, ME whose size and agility made him a valuable option for the 1949-50 Hoyas. He saw action in 19 games, but with comparatively few scoring opportunities in a team dominated by the scoring of Tommy O'Keefe and Johnny Brown. Norris saw action in just five of the final 10 games of the season and opted to transfer closer to home at the University of Maine.

Over a two period at Maine, Norris became one of the best centers in New England. After sitting out the 1950-51 season, Norris averaged 16.1 points per game in 1951-51 and 23.2 in 1952-53, earning him the school's first All-America honor; to this day he is one of only four Maine basketball players ever honored. He was a two time All-Yankee Conference selection and still ranks fifth in career scoring percentage for the Black Bears, finishing his two year career averaging 20.3 points per game.

Norris coached high school basketball after college, with 225 career wins at Brewer High School. A golf coach as well, Norris and his son were two time father/son champions at the Maine State Golf Association Championship.

John Norris is a member of the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame.