25 Facts About Dave DeBusschere

David Albert DeBusschere was an American professional basketball player and coach, and professional baseball player.

Dave DeBusschere played for the Chicago White Sox of MLB in 1962 and 1963 and in the NBA for the Detroit Pistons from 1962 through 1968 and for the New York Knicks from 1968 to 1974.

Dave DeBusschere was the head coach for the Pistons from 1964 through 1967.

Dave DeBusschere was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983.

In 1996, Dave DeBusschere was named as one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history.

In October 2021, Dave DeBusschere was again honored as one of the league's greatest players of all time by being named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

Dave DeBusschere was born in Detroit to parents Peter Marcell and Dorothy Dave DeBusschere.

Dave DeBusschere attended Austin Catholic Preparatory School and inspired the "White Shirted Legion".

Dave DeBusschere starred in both basketball and baseball at the University of Detroit.

Dave DeBusschere averaged 24 points a game in basketball, helping Detroit reach the National Invitation Tournament twice and the NCAA basketball tournament once.

Dave DeBusschere pitched the Titans to three NCAA baseball tournament berths.

In 1962, Dave DeBusschere was signed by the Chicago White Sox as an amateur free agent.

Dave DeBusschere was a pitcher for the White Sox from 1962 to 1963.

Dave DeBusschere pitched a shutout on August 13,1963, against the Cleveland Indians, giving up six hits, one walk and striking out three.

Dave DeBusschere pitched in the White Sox's minor league system for two more seasons before giving up pitching to focus on both playing and coaching basketball.

Dave DeBusschere is one of only 13 athletes to have played in both the NBA and Major League Baseball.

Dave DeBusschere was selected by the Detroit Pistons in 1962 NBA draft as a territorial draft selection.

Dave DeBusschere was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983 after a 12-year career in which he averaged 16.1 points and 11 rebounds while being named to eight NBA All-Star teams.

Dave DeBusschere became a member of the NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996.

Dave DeBusschere was renowned for his physical style of play and tenacious defense, and he was named to the NBA All-Defensive first team six times.

Dave DeBusschere helped bring about the merger between the NBA and the ABA that year.

Dave DeBusschere was later the assistant coach and director of basketball operations of the Knicks during the 1980s, when he drafted fellow Knicks legend Patrick Ewing with the first overall selection in 1985.

In May 2003, Dave DeBusschere collapsed on a Manhattan street from a heart attack and was pronounced dead at New York University Hospital.

Dave DeBusschere was interred at Saint Joseph's Church Cemetery in Garden City, New York.

Dave DeBusschere, who lived in Garden City, was survived by his wife, Gerri, sons Peter and Dennis, and daughter Michelle.