Dean-Meminger-Obituary

Dean Meminger

Obituary

NEW YORK (AP) — Dean Meminger, the former Marquette guard who played a reserve role on the New York Knicks' 1973 NBA championship team, was found dead Friday in a Manhattan hotel room. He was 65.

New York City police said staff at the Hamilton Heights Hotel found Meminger unconscious and unresponsive inside a room and emergency medical personnel pronounced him dead. Police said there were no signs of trauma and that the cause of death hadn't been determined. They said an investigation is ongoing.

"We want to thank everyone for their prayers and condolences during this difficult time for our family," Meminger's family said in a statement. "Dean 'The Dream' Meminger touched the hearts of so many on and off the basketball court. Through basketball and education, he helped countless people around the country receive scholarships, high school and college admissions, and even employment."

Meminger averaged 6.1 points in six seasons with the Knicks and Atlanta Hawks. A former New York City prep star at Rice High School, Meminger led Marquette to a 78-9 mark in three varsity seasons, averaging 18.8 points. He averaged 21.2 points as a senior in 1970-71 and was drafted 16th overall by the Knicks.

"Everyone at the New York Knicks' organization is saddened to hear the news of Dean Meminger's passing," Knicks general manager Glen Grunwald said in a statement. "From the day he was drafted by this franchise in 1971, Dean was a friend and close family member of this team. On April 5, 2013, the 1973 world championship team was honored at Madison Square Garden on its 40th anniversary. There was no one prouder than Dean to be back on the court with his teammates. We send our heartfelt condolences to the entire Meminger family."

Meminger had short coaching stints with the New York Stars in the Women's Basketball League, the Albany Patroons in the CBA and the Long Island Knights in the USBL. He coached Manhattanville College in 2003-04.


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I am a proud graduate of Rice H.S. and remember that when Dean walked into the gymnasium, the principal, faculty, and all the students stood and applauded him each time, he was that beloved and already famous even as a senior! Dean "the Dreams put Rice on the map! I remember his entrance into the gym like it was yesterday. That was in 1966.
May his soul rest in peace. Dean, you died too soon but you live in memory.

So many fond memories of you at MU. Will never forget...

Another light has been dimmed. Rest in paradise my friend.No more Sorrows

Never met you but definitely got the skills from you on court.....

To my uncle Dean.I have always looked up to you and it was an HONOR TO be able to say "that was my uncle". ANYBODY who knew basketball will never forget a man such as you.!!!!R.I.P.

just a fan of the old time Knicks...I remember that celtic game...god bless

Our deepest sympathy to the family. May the God of all comfort gives you comfort and hope that is needed at this time.
SM

DEAN SR. I LOVED WATCHING YOU PLAY FOR THE NY KNICKS, YOU WERE ALWAYS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLAYERS OF ALL TIME...I HAD MET YOUR SON DEAN WHEN HE WAS COVERING A STORY IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. WHEN YOU WERE IN THE FIRE, I CONTACTED HIM TO CHECK ON HOW YOU WERE DOING. I HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH A LOT LATELY AND I JUST FOUND OUT THAT YOU HAD PASSED AWAY. IF I HAD KNOWN I WOULD HAVE CAME TO YOUR SERVICES TO BID YOU A CORRECT FAREWELL. YOU ARE STILL ONE OF MY FAVORITE SUPERSTAR LEGENDS...YOU WILL BE...