A talented basketball player and the youngest coach in the NBA, David Albert “Dave” Debusschere is one of the legendary players. He played for the MLB team Chicago White Sox in 1962 and 1963, as well as the Pistons from 1962 to 1968. From 1964 through 1967, he also served as the main coach for the Detroit Pistons.
Additionally, Debusschere played for the New York Knicks through six seasons, 1968-1974, having won two championship rings.
Dave DeBusschere played in eight NBA All-Star Teams and six times in All-Defensive First Team. In 1983, he was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In 1996, DeBusschere was named one of the NBA’s 50 greatest players ever. DeBusschere was again recognized as one of the NBA’s 75 Greatest Players Ever in October 2021, when he was selected for the NBA’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team.
Dave Debusschere – Early years
Dave was nothing short of a legend in his hometown, even when he was young. He was a star in Detroit, where he attended and played baseball as well as basketball. He went to Austin Catholic High School and helped its basketball squad to a state title. On top of that, DeBusschere was the lead pitcher on a baseball team that won the city championship and also led a local junior squad to a national junior title.
Dave Debusschere – College Career
Such talent rarely goes unnoticed. Even though multiple colleges wanted a piece of the pie, DeBusschere decided to stay in Detroit to aid his hometown in their varsity team ventures. During his stay, he managed to average over 24 points per game, contributing greatly to Detroit’s success in the form of reaching the two NIT finals, as well as one NCAA tournament.
Apart from being talented in basketball, DeBusschere was also keen on playing baseball. His University of Detroit Titans reached three berths in the NCAA tournament, mostly due to his pitching skills.
DeBusschere’s final year saw him standing before a tough choice to make. Should he play basketball or baseball during his professional career? Dave being an ambitious, hard-working man decided to do the only right thing—play both.
In 1962, he was drafted by NBA’s Pistons as a territorial pick, as well as got a contract with the White Sox for a hefty bonus of $75,000.
Dave Debusschere – Professional career
Dave DeBusschere spent only one season in the MLB with the Chicago White Sox. After 1963, he remained with the franchise’s minor league squad for two more years, but looking at his lack of success in baseball, DeBusschere decided to focus solely on basketball, which served him well.
In the meantime, DeBusschere’s pro hoops NBA career got off to a good start. During the 1962-63 season, he scored 12.7 points per game and was a part of the NBA All-Rookie Team.
Dave Debusschere – Skills
Even though DeBusschere was still a rookie, his maturity was noticeably more developed compared to his colleagues. Looks can be deceiving—Dave always looked pretty tough, but he was clever and cool-headed.
From the outset, DeBusschere demonstrated outstanding offensive abilities. Even though he was quite sizable, his shooting and ball handling skills were excellent, proving that he could take a game home for the Detroit Pistons on more than one occasion.
Dave DeBusschere was one of the most versatile players at the time. Apart from scoring, he could guard and rebound just as, or even more, effectively. Some players said that he had a velcro chest because when he latched onto another player when defending, he wasn’t letting go.
Even early on in his career, DeBusschere was regarded as an additional coach on the field due to his leadership. Always keeping it cool, Dave would often disperse any feuds going on between players on his team, just because professional NBA is not the time and place for such behavior.
Dave Debusschere – Detroit’s Performance
Detroit was performing well during DeBusschere’s first year with them, having reached the playoffs. However, in the next season, he injured his leg, only getting to play in 15 games. Without him, the Pistons performed abysmally, amassing just 23 wins in the regular season.
The following year marked a move that nobody expected—DeBusschere became player-coach of the Pistons, therefore becoming the youngest coach in NBA history.
Despite his apparent maturity, DeBusschere’s time as coach was a failure. Detroit was hampered, with the exception of DeBusschere himself, by a lack of talent.
Move to the New York Knicks
The Pistons were in a rut, but things changed when Paul Seymour took over as coach. He wanted new players and DeBusschere was the most marketable star so they could finally trade him away for Walt Bellamy and Howard Komives after being frustrated with losses altogether six years straight. For this player “escape” meant coming to New York where he knew he would find success soon enough.
The Knicks were counting on DeBusschere to help their frontcourt and bring the team closer to a championship. Willis Reed was able to move from forward to center because of Bellamy’s departure, allowing him to play the sharp-shooting Cazzie Russell.
In his first season, DeBusschere became an instant star in New York, averaging 16.3 points per game and earning a spot on the All-NBA Second Team. He then helped the Knicks advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals, losing to the Celtics.
Dave DeBusschere was the primary rebounder for the Knicks. Still, he could score 20 or more points, even when focusing on rebounds. With the addition of DeBusschere, the Knicks became a powerhouse. Frazier, Bradley, Reed—every player had immense talent.
Dave Debusschere – Knicks Taking Home the Ring
The 1969-70 season was a major success for the Knicks. They ended the year with a record of 60-22, steaming through the playoffs and conference finals, and met the Los Angeles Lakers. That seven-game-long match became one of the most entertaining and bone-chilling series of all time. Packed with superstars like Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, and Wilt Chamberlain, it was a spectacle worthy of all the awards.
Possibly the most unexpected thing happened in Game 7. Injured Willis Reed, one of the key players, stepped up and helped lead the Knicks to a decisive victory, 113-99. Reed hurt his thigh in Game 5 and was deemed unable to play. Even with impaired abilities, he was able to stop prime Wilt Chamberlain in his tracks, allowing him only two shots out of nine.
The game was named the greatest Game 7 in NBA Finals history by ESPN.
1974 saw his retirement from playing and coaching in the NBA with 16.1 points per game and 11 rebounds per game. Still, he stayed connected with his sport and became the director of basketball operations for the Knicks. He also had a position as the ABA’s commissioner.
DeBusschere died May 14, 2003, after collapsing on a Manhattan street from a heart attack. DeBusscherer was buried at Saint Joseph’s Church Cemetery in Garden City, New York. DeBusschere was survived by his wife Gerri, sons Peter and Dennis, and daughter Michelle, all of whom lived in Garden City.
Dave Debusschere – Net Worth
Dave Debusschere was a professional basketball player who played for the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks. He is estimated to have a net worth between $1 million and $5 million. Debusschere was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983 after his 12-year NBA career.
Is Dave DeBusschere a Hall of Famer?
DeBusschere was an incredible player who achieved many great things during his career. In 1983, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and in 1996, he was named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history.
