Dave DeBusschere
Encyclopedia
David Albert DeBusschere (October 16, 1940 – May 14, 2003) was an American NBA and major league baseball
player and coach in the NBA. In 1996, DeBusschere was named as one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history.
DeBusschere was born in Detroit, Michigan
, and attended Austin Catholic Preparatory School, where he founded the "white shirted league" -- the tradition of wearing white shirts to the school's games, so as to make fans more visible. He was named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame after a twelve-year career (1962–1974), in which he averaged 16.1 points and eleven rebounds while being named to eight NBA All-Star teams; he was renowned for his physical style of play and tenacious defense, as he was named to the NBA All-Defensive first team six times.
by the Detroit Pistons
out of the University of Detroit
in 1962
, a territorial draft selection which was common at the time. During his rookie season he averaged 12.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, and was later named to the NBA All-Rookie Team
. However, DeBusschere was injured during his second season and only played in 15 games, resulting in the Pistons finishing with a disappointing record of 23-59.
In the 1964-1965 season, at the age of 24, he was given the position of player-coach for the Pistons, and thus became the youngest-ever coach in league history. However, this stint as coach was not successful and he became a full-time player. During the 1968-1969 season, DeBusschere was traded to the New York Knicks
for Walt Bellamy and Howard Komives.
DeBusschere spent his best years in New York. He became one of the most talented and feared players in the league and one of the greatest power forwards
the NBA had ever seen. He played a physical game on both ends of the floor, often ending the season as one of the league's best rebounders. DeBusschere, along with future HOFers Willis Reed
, Bill Bradley
and Walt Frazier
became NBA champion when the Knicks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers
in the 1970 NBA Finals
. With Earl Monroe
in the backcourt, they became champions again in 1973, beating the Lakers 4-1 in the finals.
) of the then-American Basketball Association
upon his retirement. He later became ABA's commissioner, as well as the assistant coach and director of basketball operation of the Knicks during the 1980s. During this time DeBusschere drafted fellow Knicks legend Patrick Ewing
.
DeBusschere was later the author of a book entitled The Open Man, which was a chronicle of the New York Knicks
' 1969-1970
championship season.
as an amateur free agent. He was pitcher
for the Chicago White Sox
from 1962-63. He pitched a shutout on August 13, 1963, against the Cleveland Indians
, giving up six hits, one walk and striking out three. In 22 career at bats, he had only one hit, a single off Bennie Daniels
on July 17, 1963. He pitched in the White Sox' minor league system for two more seasons before giving up pitching to focus on both playing and coaching basketball.
He is one of only 12 athletes to have played in both Major League Baseball
and the National Basketball Association
, or its predecessor the Basketball Association of America
, the others being: Mark Hendrickson
, Danny Ainge
, Gene Conley
, Ron Reed
, Dick Groat
, Steve Hamilton
, Cotton Nash
, Frank Baumholtz
, Dick Ricketts
, Howie Schultz
and Chuck Connors
.
, Nassau County, New York
.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player and coach in the NBA. In 1996, DeBusschere was named as one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history.
DeBusschere was born in 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 attended Austin Catholic Preparatory School, where he founded the "white shirted league" -- the tradition of wearing white shirts to the school's games, so as to make fans more visible. He was named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame after a twelve-year career (1962–1974), in which he averaged 16.1 points and eleven rebounds while being named to eight NBA All-Star teams; he was renowned for his physical style of play and tenacious defense, as he was named to the NBA All-Defensive first team six times.
NBA career
DeBusschere was draftedNBA Draft
The NBA Draft is an annual event in which the thirty teams from the National Basketball Association can draft players who are eligible and wish to join the league. These players are usually amateur U.S. college basketball players, but international players are also eligible to be drafted...
by the 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...
out of the University of Detroit
University of Detroit Mercy
University of Detroit Mercy is a private, Roman Catholic co-educational university in Detroit, Michigan, United States, affiliated with the Society of Jesus and the Sisters of Mercy. Antoine M. Garibaldi is the president. With origins dating from 1877, it is the largest Roman Catholic university...
in 1962
1962 NBA Draft
The 1962 NBA Draft was the 16th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on March 26, 1962 before to the 1962–63 season. In this draft, nine NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players. A player who had finished his four-year college...
, a territorial draft selection which was common at the time. During his rookie season he averaged 12.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, and was later named to the NBA All-Rookie Team
NBA All-Rookie Team
The NBA All-Rookie Team is an annual National Basketball Association honor given since the 1962–63 NBA season to the top rookies during the regular season. Voting is conducted by the NBA head coaches; who are not allowed to vote for players on their own team. The All-Rookie Team is generally...
. However, DeBusschere was injured during his second season and only played in 15 games, resulting in the Pistons finishing with a disappointing record of 23-59.
In the 1964-1965 season, at the age of 24, he was given the position of player-coach for the Pistons, and thus became the youngest-ever coach in league history. However, this stint as coach was not successful and he became a full-time player. During the 1968-1969 season, DeBusschere was traded to the New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
for Walt Bellamy and Howard Komives.
DeBusschere spent his best years in New York. He became one of the most talented and feared players in the league and one of the greatest power forwards
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
the NBA had ever seen. He played a physical game on both ends of the floor, often ending the season as one of the league's best rebounders. DeBusschere, along with future HOFers Willis Reed
Willis Reed
Willis Reed, Jr. is a retired American basketball player, coach and manager of basketball teams. He spent his entire professional playing career with the New York Knicks. In 1982, his outstanding record and achievements were recognized by his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall...
, Bill Bradley
Bill Bradley
William Warren "Bill" Bradley is an American hall of fame basketball player, Rhodes scholar, and former three-term Democratic U.S. Senator from New Jersey. He ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic Party's nomination for President in the 2000 election.Bradley was born and raised in a suburb of St....
and Walt Frazier
Walt Frazier
Walter "Clyde" Frazier is a retired American basketball player in the National Basketball Association . He was blessed with a unique combination of court vision, quickness, and size for a guard...
became NBA champion when the Knicks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
in the 1970 NBA Finals
1970 NBA Finals
The 1970 NBA Finals was a best-of-7 series for the world championship of the National Basketball Association. It featured the Eastern Conference champion New York Knicks and the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers...
. With Earl Monroe
Earl Monroe
Vernon Earl Monroe is an American former professional basketball player known for his flamboyant dribbling, passing, and play-making. His nicknames is "Earl the Pearl".-Early years:...
in the backcourt, they became champions again in 1973, beating the Lakers 4-1 in the finals.
Life after basketball
DeBusschere retired in 1974. His #22 jersey was retired by the Knicks, though 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 York Nets (now New Jersey NetsNew Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
) of the then-American Basketball Association
American Basketball Association
The American Basketball Association was a professional basketball league founded in 1967. The ABA ceased to exist with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976.-League history:...
upon his retirement. He later became ABA's commissioner, as well as the assistant coach and director of basketball operation of the Knicks during the 1980s. During this time DeBusschere drafted fellow Knicks legend Patrick Ewing
Patrick Ewing
Patrick Aloysius Ewing Sr. is a Jamaican-American retired Hall of Fame basketball player and current assistant coach for the National Basketball Association's Orlando Magic. He played most of his career with the NBA's New York Knicks as their starting center and played briefly with the Seattle...
.
DeBusschere was later the author of a book entitled The Open Man, which was a chronicle of the New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
' 1969-1970
1969-70 NBA season
The 1969–70 NBA Season was the 24th season of the National Basketball Association. The season ended with the New York Knicks winning the NBA Championship, beating the Los Angeles Lakers 4 games to 3 in the NBA Finals.-Notable occurrences:...
championship season.
Honors
DeBusschere became a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983. An eight-time NBA All Star, he became a member of the NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996.Baseball
In 1962 DeBusschere was signed by the Chicago White SoxChicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
as an amateur free agent. He was pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
from 1962-63. He pitched a shutout on August 13, 1963, against the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, giving up six hits, one walk and striking out three. In 22 career at bats, he had only one hit, a single off Bennie Daniels
Bennie Daniels
Bennie Daniels Jr. is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched from 1957-1965 for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Washington Senators...
on July 17, 1963. He pitched in the White Sox' minor league system for two more seasons before giving up pitching to focus on both playing and coaching basketball.
He is one of only 12 athletes to have played in both Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
and 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...
, or its predecessor the Basketball Association of America
Basketball Association of America
The Basketball Association of America was a professional basketball league in North America, founded in 1946. The league merged with the National Basketball League in 1949, forming the National Basketball Association ...
, the others being: Mark Hendrickson
Mark Hendrickson
Mark Allan Hendrickson is an American Major League Baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Baltimore Orioles. Hendrickson is also a retired National Basketball Association power forward who played 114 NBA games before becoming a pitcher full-time. He is one of just 12 athletes to play in both...
, Danny Ainge
Danny Ainge
Daniel Ray "Danny" Ainge is an American basketball manager and retired professional basketball and baseball player, currently serving as President of Basketball Operations for the Boston Celtics....
, Gene Conley
Gene Conley
Donald Eugene Conley is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played eleven seasons from to for four different teams. Conley also played forward in the 1952-1953 season and from 1958 to 1964 for two teams in the National Basketball Association...
, Ron Reed
Ron Reed
Ronald Lee Reed is a retired American starting/relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Atlanta Braves , St. Louis Cardinals , Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago White Sox...
, Dick Groat
Dick Groat
Richard Morrow Groat is a former two-sport athlete best known as a shortstop in Major League Baseball. He played for four National League teams, mainly the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals, and was named the league's Most Valuable Player in after winning the batting title with a .325...
, Steve Hamilton
Steve Hamilton
Steven Absher Hamilton was a Major League Baseball and NBA player....
, Cotton Nash
Cotton Nash
Charles Francis "Cotton" Nash is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and National Basketball Association forward....
, Frank Baumholtz
Frank Baumholtz
Frank Conrad Baumholtz was an American outfielder for Major League Baseball's Cincinnati Reds , Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies...
, Dick Ricketts
Dick Ricketts
Richard James Ricketts, Jr. was an American professional basketball player.A 6'7" forward from Duquesne University, Ricketts was selected by the St. Louis Hawks with the first pick of the 1955 NBA Draft...
, Howie Schultz
Howie Schultz
Howard Henry "Howie" Schultz , nicknamed "Stretch" and "Steeple", was an American baseball and basketball player from Saint Paul, Minnesota....
and Chuck Connors
Chuck Connors
Chuck Connors was an American actor, writer, and professional basketball and baseball player. His best known role from his forty-year film career was Lucas McCain in the 1960s ABC hit Western series The Rifleman....
.
Death
In May 2003, Dave DeBusschere collapsed on a Manhattan street when he suffered a fatal heart attack. He was 62 years of age. DeBusschere is interred at Saint Joseph's Church Cemetery in Garden CityGarden City
- Places :Australia:*Toowoomba, Queensland, nicknamed "Garden City"*Garden City, a locality within Port Melbourne, Victoria* Westfield Garden City, a Westfield shopping centre in Upper Mount Gravatt, Brisbane...
, Nassau County, New York
Nassau County, New York
Nassau County is a suburban county on Long Island, east of New York City in the U.S. state of New York, within the New York Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,339,532...
.
See also
- List of National Basketball Association career rebounding leaders
- List of NCAA Division I men's basketball players with 30 or more rebounds in a game
- List of NCAA Division I men's basketball career rebounding leaders