Biography of Dave DeBusschere and His Basketball Career

Dave DeBusschere experienced something in his professional athletic career that only a handful of people do when in 1965 he had to make the choice between professional basketball and baseball. DeBusschere had been playing for the Detroit Pistons of the NBA as well as a Chicago White Sox minor league baseball team. DeBusschere ultimately chose basketball and his decision would turn out very well for him.

Dave DeBusschere was best known throughout his professional basketball career as a defensive stopper who caused major problems for opposing players. He was 6' 6" tall which provided him with the length to guard just about anybody. DeBusschere played with the Pistons for 6 seasons before he was traded to the New York Knicks in 1968.

DeBusschere would win two NBA Championships with the Knicks in 1970 and 1973 and become an emotional leader for the team. He continued to play his signature tough defense and shut opposing scorers down. The New York fans loved his passion for the game and tough play causing DeBusschere to quickly become a fan favorite. He was part of the NBA All-Defensive Team for six years during his time in the league.

DeBusschere was born on October 16, 1940 in Detroit, Michigan and was a standout in both basketball and baseball at Austin Catholic High School. He would attend the University of Detroit for college. In 1962 after he was done with college, DeBusschere signed professional contracts with the Chicago White Sox and Pistons. In his first season as a minor league baseball player, DeBusschere went 10-1. His first season in the NBA proved to be a successful one as well as DeBusschere averaged 12.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game and was part of the 1962-1963 All-Rookie team.

Dave DeBusschere played 12 seasons in the NBA and amassed career numbers of 16.1 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. He would retire from basketball after the 1974 season and soon after take the General Manager job with the New York Nets. After only one year with this job, DeBusschere became the commissioner of the American Basketball Association. He wrote a book called The Open Man which told the tale of the New York Knicks 1970 NBA Championship team that DeBusschere was a part of.

Dave DeBusschere died of a heart attack in 2003 at the age of 62. He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982 which cemented his legacy of hard work and determined play.