NEW YORK (AP) – NBA Hall of Famer Dave DeBusschere, a forward on two championship teams with the New York Knicks and also the youngest coach in league history, died Wednesday of a heart attack at 62.
The team, which announced his death, had no other details.
DeBusschere's exploits in the world of sports also included a stint as commissioner of the ABA and parts of two seasons as a major league pitcher with the Chicago White Sox in 1962-63.
But it was in basketball that DeBusschere excelled. He gave up baseball after two seasons and a 3-4 record in 36 games to concentrate on his NBA career.
By 1964, he was player-coach of the Detroit Pistons, becoming at age 24 the youngest to guide a team. He played six full seasons for the Pistons before being traded in 1968 to the Knicks.
In New York, the 6-foot-6 forward teamed with fellow Hall of Famers Walt Frazier, Willis Reed and Bill Bradley to win championships in 1970 and 1973.
DeBusschere was elected to the Hall in 1983 after playing 11 seasons in the NBA. In 1997, he was picked as one of the 50 greatest players in league history.
DeBusschere was picked for the NBA's All-Defensive team six straight years from 1969-74. He retired after the 1973-74 season with a career average of 16.1 points, plus totals of 9,618 rebounds, and 2,497 assists.
He was the general manager of the ABA's New York Nets in 1974, then became the final head of the American Basketball Association a year later and was instrumental in the 1976 merger of that league – famous for its red-white-and-blue basketballs – with the NBA.
DeBusschere went into private business in 1976, then returned to the NBA in May 1982, when he became general manager of the Knicks, a job he held until 1986. It was in that role that he won the first NBA draft lottery and picked Georgetown center Patrick Ewing as the No. 1 overall choice in June 1985.
Copyright © 2003 The Associated Press
What a legend. Debusschere was the final piece to make the Knicks one of the most beloved teams ever. Hard worker, truly team first, no frills, just grit. Knicks glory days were memorable.
Robert Robertson
February 18, 2022 | NY, NY
May God bless Dave DeBusschere & his family. My childhood hero. Helped bring 2 championships to my Knickerbockers. Rugged & tough on the court. A reserved & humble gentleman off the court. He will always be missed by his teammates, his opponents and his fans. #22 as a hall of famer, # 1 as a man.
John Savies
June 29, 2021 | Carbondale, PA
Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Harry Simpson
May 15, 2016 | Buckeye, AZ
I know this is being written a bit late, but just decided to google him to see what I could find. God Bless Dave and his family. I've been a huge Knick fan starting from their glory days. Knowing he was a co-captain on such a talented, heady team shows what great qualities he had.
Thomas Sauer
April 10, 2014 | Lincoln, NE
Dave Debusschere was one of my heroes growing up. A blue-collar working stiff who put team success over everything else. Dave was a true role model. To say to someone "You remind me of Dave Debusschere" is the ultimate compliment. My deepest sympathy to his family. The world has lost a good man.
Neil J Rice
Major, US Army
OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM (Afghanistan)
Neil Rice
October 28, 2003 | Prattville, AL
being a new yorker, i watched him play back in the hey days, God Bless, my sympathy to his family
cintron-rosado
May 16, 2003 | Orlando, FL
My condolences to the DeBusschere family. May they have peace of the Lord. As a New Yorker I first disageed with trade that brought Dave to N.Y. until I saw what a great player and gentleman he was.
Cesar Garcia
May 15, 2003 | Mesa, AZ
As a former co-resident with Dave at U of D'S Holden Hall Dorm, I wish his family my condolences. He was a great athlete and an gentleman
in college.
Jim Jordan
James Jordan
May 15, 2003 | Cooper City, FL
As a fan of Mr.DeBusschere from his days of playing with the New York Knicks and present day. I am very sad to hear that he has gone home to live with God. But I'm not sad about him going home, it's the fact that he has left us. My condolences to his family. I always felt that he was a kind hearted person. I hope that his family knows that they will see him again someday. God bless and my prayers are with you.
Jacquelyn Holmes
May 15, 2003 | Memphis, TN
