A swift runner and smooth dribbler, Bruce Hale was a star for the University of Santa Clara men's basketball before debuting into the pro ranks with the Chicago American Gears of the National Basketball League in 1946-1947. Playing the guard position, rookie Bruce Hale and Bob Calihan along with Hall of Fame teammate George MIkan, a 6-10-inch center, all played big roles in leading Chicago to a NBL Championship, defeating Indianapolis 3-games to 2 in the opening round, then sweeping Oshkosh, and in the title finals, topping Rochester 3-games to 1.   

In 1947-48 he started the season with the Indianapolis Kautskys, however he also played in the Professional Basketball League of America where the always hustling Bruce Hale , while playing with the St. Paul Saints finished third highest in the league scoring, averaging 16.1 points per game in the 9-game schedule.

In 1948-49 when pro teams merged and formed the National Basketball Association, the NBA, Bruce Hale signed with the newly formed league, spliting the season with Fort Wayne and Indianapolis. He played two more years in the NBA. All-told he played in 22 playoff games spanning four playoffs. He scored 43 points in 7 NBA games, and 156 points in 15 NBL games.  

Bruce Hale NBA career stats: 1,297 points in 142 games, 9.1 points per game average.

Bruce Hale NBL career stats: 975 points in 89 games 11.0 points in 89 games