Dave DeBusschere

From Free net encyclopedia

David Albert DeBusschere (October 16, 1940 - May 14, 2003) was a professional basketball player born in Detroit, Michigan. He was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 1962 and won two championships with the New York Knicks. He was the youngest coach in NBA history.

DeBusschere was named to the Hall of Fame after a 12-year career in which he averaged 16.1 points and eleven rebounds while being named to eight NBA All-Star Teams. However, he was best known for his tenacious defense, as he was named to the NBA All Defensive First Team six times. His #22 jersey was retired by the Knicks, but not until many years after his retirement; it is thought the delay was due to DeBusschere's taking a front-office job with the rival New Jersey Nets upon his retirement. At the age 24, he was assigned the position of player-coach and thus became the youngest ever coach in league history.

He also was a pitcher in Major League Baseball with the Chicago White Sox in 1962-63.

DeBusschere died of a heart attack in New York in 2003, aged 62.

Template:Start box Template:Succession box Template:End box

Template:NBA50

[edit]