Derrek Dickey
Encyclopedia
Derrek Dickey was an American
professional basketball
player and sportscaster
.
A 6'7" forward, Dickey starred at the University of Cincinnati
for three varsity seasons (1970-71 thru 1972-73) before being selected by the Golden State Warriors
in the second round of the 1973 NBA Draft
. Dickey played five seasons in the NBA with the Warriors and the Chicago Bulls
, averaging 6.1 points per game
and 4.9 rebounds per game. He was a key contributor on the 1975 Warriors team that won the NBA Championship
.
After his playing career ended, Dickey served as a color commentator
on telecasts of University of Cincinnati basketball games. He also held stints as an analyst for the Sacramento Kings
and the Chicago Bulls. Dickey suffered a stroke
in 1997 and lost the use of his left arm and leg. Through rehabilitation, he regained his ability to walk and resumed his broadcasting duties. He also became a volunteer for the American Heart Association
. In 2002, Dickey died of heart failure at his home in Sacramento.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player and sportscaster
Sportscaster
In sports broadcasting, a commentator gives a running commentary of a game or event in real time, usually during a live broadcast. The comments are normally a voiceover, with the sounds of the action and spectators also heard in the background. In the case of television commentary, the commentator...
.
A 6'7" forward, Dickey starred at the University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
for three varsity seasons (1970-71 thru 1972-73) before being selected by the Golden State Warriors
Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in Oakland, California. They are part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
in the second round of the 1973 NBA Draft
1973 NBA Draft
The 1973 NBA Draft was the 27th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on April 24, 1973 before the 1973–74 season. In this draft, 17 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players...
. Dickey played five seasons in the NBA with the Warriors and the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
, averaging 6.1 points per game
Points per game
Points per game, often abbreviated PPG, is the average number of points scored by a player per game played in a sport, over the course of a series of games, a whole season, or a career. It is calculated by dividing the total number of points by number of games. The terminology is often used in...
and 4.9 rebounds per game. He was a key contributor on the 1975 Warriors team that won the NBA Championship
1975 NBA Finals
The 1975 NBA World Championship Series was the championship round of the 1974-75 NBA season of the National Basketball Association. The Golden State Warriors of the Western Conference played against the Washington Bullets of the Eastern Conference...
.
After his playing career ended, Dickey served as a color commentator
Color commentator
A color commentator is a sports commentator who assists the play-by-play announcer, often by filling in any time when play is not in progress. The color analyst and main commentator will often exchange comments freely throughout the broadcast, when the play-by-play announcer is not describing the...
on telecasts of University of Cincinnati basketball games. He also held stints as an analyst for the Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
and the Chicago Bulls. Dickey suffered a stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
in 1997 and lost the use of his left arm and leg. Through rehabilitation, he regained his ability to walk and resumed his broadcasting duties. He also became a volunteer for the American Heart Association
American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a non-profit organization in the United States that fosters appropriate cardiac care in an effort to reduce disability and deaths caused by cardiovascular disease and stroke. It is headquartered in Dallas, Texas...
. In 2002, Dickey died of heart failure at his home in Sacramento.