Bill Thieben
Encyclopedia
William Bernard "Bill" Thieben (born March 28, 1935) is a retired American
professional basketball player. He played in the National Basketball Association
(NBA) for the Fort Wayne Pistons in and the Detroit Pistons in (the franchise was moved between the two seasons). He was selected in the 1956 NBA Draft
by the Fort Wayne Pistons.
, and attended Sayville High School
from 1948 to 1952. On February 26, 1952, he scored a school record 48 points in a game against Northport
. Sayville won the contest, 85–66.
He decided to stay close to home when he went to college and enrolled at nearby Hofstra University
. Due to NCAA rules at the time, freshmen were not allowed to play varsity sports. Thieben, therefore, had to play for the school’s freshman team. Hofstra was classified as a Division II institution when he first entered college, but Thieben went on to have one of the greatest all-around basketball careers in NCAA history, regardless of classification.
In 1953–54, his sophomore
year, he became eligible to play. Standing at tall and weighing 215 pounds, Thieben is considered the first "big man" in Hofstra basketball history. He played in 24 games that season and averaged 24.6 points and 25.8 rebounds per game. That rebounding average is the 11th-highest in Division II history. In Thieben's junior
season (1954–55), he went on to average a career high 29.2 points and 24.4 rebounds in 26 games played. Look Magazine
named him an All-American
at the end of the season.
Thieben continued his 20–20 average during his senior
season in 1955–56
. By this time, Hofstra had become classified as a Division I institution. In 26 games played, he averaged 26.9 points and 24.2 rebounds en route to a third consecutive All-Metropolitan area selection. He repeated as a Look Magazine All-American, and he was also selected as the Haggerty Award
winner. The Haggerty Award has been given annually since 1936 to the New York City metropolitan area's top male collegiate basketball player, and Thieben was the first Hofstra player to receive it.
In just 76 career games, Thieben scored 2,045 points and grabbed a school record 1,837 rebounds. While he still remains in the top 10 all-time for scoring at Hofstra, his rebounding mark is considered unbreakable. The second highest rebounder in program history is John Irving
, who only amassed 1,186. Thieben still holds Hofstra records for career scoring (26.9) and rebounding (24.2) averages, as well as single game scoring (48) and rebounding records (43).
In 2008, Hofstra University officially retired his jersey (#93).
by the Fort Wayne Pistons. He was taken in the third round as the 22nd overall pick. Thieben's career spanned two seasons, and between the two he had his most success during his rookie
campaign in 1956–57. Playing for the Fort Wayne Pistons, he appeared in 58 games while averaging 4.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Fort Wayne finished in third place in the Western Division
with a 34–38 overall record, but did advance to the first round of the playoffs.
After his rookie season, the franchise relocated to Detroit, Michigan
and became the modern day Detroit Pistons
. Thieben's statistics dropped to 3.7 points and 2.4 rebounds in 27 games played. The Pistons advanced further into the playoffs but still did not win the championship, and after two years Thieben’s professional career was over.
in Bay Shore, New York
for three years, and then in 1961 became the school's assistant principal for the next decade. In 1971, he became the principal at Rocky Point High School
, a public school he worked at for 23 years until retirement in 1994.
In addition to his teaching and administrative roles at the high school level, Thieben also served as an adjunct professor of history and sociology
at Suffolk Community College, Long Island University C.W. Post Campus
and Long Island University
, and as a professor of secondary education at St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball player. He played in the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
(NBA) for the Fort Wayne Pistons in and the Detroit Pistons in (the franchise was moved between the two seasons). He was selected in the 1956 NBA Draft
1956 NBA Draft
The 1956 NBA Draft was the 10th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on April 30, 1956 before the 1956–57 season. In this draft, eight NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players...
by the Fort Wayne Pistons.
Early life and college
Thieben is a native of Suffolk County, New YorkSuffolk County, New York
Suffolk County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York on the eastern portion of Long Island. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,493,350. It was named for the county of Suffolk in England, from which its earliest settlers came...
, and attended Sayville High School
Sayville High School
Sayville High School is located in West Sayville, NY. Sayville High School has 1142 total students, 568 male, 574 female. Of these students from Sayville High School, 286 are ninth grade students, 291 are tenth grade students, 271 are eleventh grade students, and 294 are twelfth grade students....
from 1948 to 1952. On February 26, 1952, he scored a school record 48 points in a game against Northport
Northport High School
Northport High School is a four-year secondary school in Northport, New York that serves as the high school for the Northport-East Northport Union Free School District which is composed of Northport, Eatons Neck, Asharoken and much of East Northport, all located in the Town of Huntington...
. Sayville won the contest, 85–66.
He decided to stay close to home when he went to college and enrolled at nearby Hofstra University
Hofstra University
Hofstra University is a private, nonsectarian institution of higher learning located in the Village of Hempstead, New York, United States, about east of New York City: less than an hour away by train or car...
. Due to NCAA rules at the time, freshmen were not allowed to play varsity sports. Thieben, therefore, had to play for the school’s freshman team. Hofstra was classified as a Division II institution when he first entered college, but Thieben went on to have one of the greatest all-around basketball careers in NCAA history, regardless of classification.
In 1953–54, his sophomore
Sophomore
Sophomore is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the second year of study at high school or university.The word is also used as a synonym for "second", for the second album or EP released by a musician or group, the second movie of a director, or the second season of a...
year, he became eligible to play. Standing at tall and weighing 215 pounds, Thieben is considered the first "big man" in Hofstra basketball history. He played in 24 games that season and averaged 24.6 points and 25.8 rebounds per game. That rebounding average is the 11th-highest in Division II history. In Thieben's junior
Junior (education)
"Junior" is a term used in the United States to describe a student in their 3rd year of study . A Junior is considered an upperclassman...
season (1954–55), he went on to average a career high 29.2 points and 24.4 rebounds in 26 games played. Look Magazine
Look magazine
Look magazine can refer to:* Look , 1937 to 1971* LOOK Magazine, for African-American college students* Look Magazine * Look Magazine...
named him an All-American
NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans
The NCAA Men's Basketball All-American teams are honorary teams made up of those NCAA basketball players voted the best in the country by a variety of organizations.-History:...
at the end of the season.
Thieben continued his 20–20 average during his senior
Senior (education)
Senior is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the 4th year of study .-High school:...
season in 1955–56
1955–56 NCAA men's basketball season
-Major rule changes:Beginning in 1955–56, the following rules changes were implemented:* The free-throw lane was increased from 6 feet to 12 feet.* The two-shot penalty in the last three minutes of the game was eliminated...
. By this time, Hofstra had become classified as a Division I institution. In 26 games played, he averaged 26.9 points and 24.2 rebounds en route to a third consecutive All-Metropolitan area selection. He repeated as a Look Magazine All-American, and he was also selected as the Haggerty Award
Haggerty Award
The Haggerty Award is given to the All-Metropolitan New York Division I men's college basketball player of the year, presented by the National Invitation Tournament and the Met Basketball Writers Association...
winner. The Haggerty Award has been given annually since 1936 to the New York City metropolitan area's top male collegiate basketball player, and Thieben was the first Hofstra player to receive it.
In just 76 career games, Thieben scored 2,045 points and grabbed a school record 1,837 rebounds. While he still remains in the top 10 all-time for scoring at Hofstra, his rebounding mark is considered unbreakable. The second highest rebounder in program history is John Irving
John Irving (basketball)
John Irving is a retired American college basketball player best known for his career at Hofstra, which lasted from 1974–75 to 1976–77. He also spent one season at Arizona before transferring. Irving, a , 215-lb power forward/center, recorded 1,018 points and 1,186 rebounds during his...
, who only amassed 1,186. Thieben still holds Hofstra records for career scoring (26.9) and rebounding (24.2) averages, as well as single game scoring (48) and rebounding records (43).
In 2008, Hofstra University officially retired his jersey (#93).
Professional career
After a standout college career, Thieben was selected in the 1956 NBA Draft1956 NBA Draft
The 1956 NBA Draft was the 10th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on April 30, 1956 before the 1956–57 season. In this draft, eight NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players...
by the Fort Wayne Pistons. He was taken in the third round as the 22nd overall pick. Thieben's career spanned two seasons, and between the two he had his most success during his rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
campaign in 1956–57. Playing for the Fort Wayne Pistons, he appeared in 58 games while averaging 4.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Fort Wayne finished in third place in the Western Division
Western Conference (NBA)
Below is a list of current Western Conference NBA team rosters.-Western Conference:There are a total of 15 teams in the Western Conference. The current leading team of the Western conference are the Dallas Mavericks....
with a 34–38 overall record, but did advance to the first round of the playoffs.
After his rookie season, the franchise relocated to Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
and became the modern day Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
. Thieben's statistics dropped to 3.7 points and 2.4 rebounds in 27 games played. The Pistons advanced further into the playoffs but still did not win the championship, and after two years Thieben’s professional career was over.
Later life
After his basketball career ended, Thieben went into teaching. He became the history teacher at Bay Shore High SchoolBay Shore High School
Bay Shore High School is a public high school located in Bay Shore, New York. The school serves about 1,900 students in grades 9 to 12. It is part of Bay Shore Schools...
in Bay Shore, New York
Bay Shore, New York
Bay Shore is a hamlet and a census-designated place located in the Town of Islip, Suffolk County, New York, USA. It is situated on the south shore of Long Island, adjoining the Great South Bay. Bay Shore celebrated its 300th anniversary in 2008. The population of the CDP was 23,852 at the time of...
for three years, and then in 1961 became the school's assistant principal for the next decade. In 1971, he became the principal at Rocky Point High School
Rocky Point High School
Rocky Point High School is a public school of the Rocky Point Union Free School District along the north shore of Long Island, located in Rocky Point, New York. It is the only high school in the district and serves grades 9-12...
, a public school he worked at for 23 years until retirement in 1994.
In addition to his teaching and administrative roles at the high school level, Thieben also served as an adjunct professor of history and sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
at Suffolk Community College, Long Island University C.W. Post Campus
Long Island University C.W. Post Campus
The C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University is a private institution of higher education located in Brookville in Nassau County, New York, United States...
and Long Island University
Long Island University
Long Island University is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian institution of higher education in the U.S. state of New York.-History:...
, and as a professor of secondary education at St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue
Patchogue, New York
-Notable citizens:* Franc D'Ambrosio, Broadway Actor, best known for being the longest running Phantom in Phantom of the Opera. Graduated Pat-Med HS 1981* Michael Fagan, professional bowler...
.