Richie Garner
Encyclopedia
Richard "Richie" Garner (born in Mount Vernon, New York
) is an American
former basketball player who is best known for his NCAA Division I career at Manhattan College
. Garner played for the Jaspers between 1968–69 and 1971–72. During his four-year career, he scored over 1,000 points, has a career shooting percentage of better than .500, and set a since-broken single season school record 121 assists in 1970–71. Garner was the first player from Manhattan College to win the Haggerty Award
, an annual award presented to the best male collegiate basketball player in the greater New York City
area since 1935–36. He earned it as a senior
and was the co-recipient with Fordham's Tom Sullivan
.
After graduating, the National Basketball Association
's New York Knicks
chose him as the 152nd overall pick in that year's draft
. The American Basketball Association
's Indiana Pacers
also selected him, although he never played in either league. Garner instead served as an assistant coach at his alma mater for six years before eventually returning to Mount Vernon. He then taught and served as an administrator at Mount Vernon High School
while also acting as assistant coach to the boys' basketball team. Today he serves as the pastor
of the Redeemed Church of Jesus Christ in Mount Vernon.
Mount Vernon, New York
Mount Vernon is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States. It lies on the border of the New York City borough of The Bronx.-Overview:...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former basketball player who is best known for his NCAA Division I career at Manhattan College
Manhattan College
Manhattan College is a Roman Catholic liberal arts college in the Lasallian tradition in New York City, United States. Despite the college's name, it is no longer located in Manhattan but in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, roughly 10 miles north of Midtown. Manhattan College offers...
. Garner played for the Jaspers between 1968–69 and 1971–72. During his four-year career, he scored over 1,000 points, has a career shooting percentage of better than .500, and set a since-broken single season school record 121 assists in 1970–71. Garner was the first player from Manhattan College to win 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...
, an annual award presented to the best male collegiate basketball player in the greater New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
area since 1935–36. He earned it as a senior
Senior (education)
Senior is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the 4th year of study .-High school:...
and was the co-recipient with Fordham's Tom Sullivan
Tom Sullivan (basketball)
Thomas "Tom" Sullivan is an American former professional basketball player and college coach.-Playing career:Sullivan grew up in the Bronx, New York City. He played collegiately at Fordham University and was a four-year letterwinner from 1968–69 through 1971–72, playing the center position. As a...
.
After graduating, 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...
's 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...
chose him as the 152nd overall pick in that year's draft
1972 NBA Draft
The 1972 NBA Draft was the 26th annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on April 10, 1972 before the 1972–73 season. In this draft, 17 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players...
. The 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:...
's Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
also selected him, although he never played in either league. Garner instead served as an assistant coach at his alma mater for six years before eventually returning to Mount Vernon. He then taught and served as an administrator at Mount Vernon High School
Mount Vernon High School (New York)
Mount Vernon High School is a high school in the City of Mount Vernon in Westchester County, New York, and is part of the Mount Vernon City School District.-Basketball:Mount Vernon is a perennial powerhouse in the State of New York as well as the nation....
while also acting as assistant coach to the boys' basketball team. Today he serves as the pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
of the Redeemed Church of Jesus Christ in Mount Vernon.