When and where was Adolph Schayes born?
Adolph Schayes arrived in the world on the 19th of May 1928, within the Bronx borough of New York City. His parents were Romanian-Jewish immigrants who settled near Jerome Avenue and Davidson Street.
Questions about Dolph Schayes
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What college did Adolph Schayes attend and what degree did he earn?
Adolph Schayes entered New York University in 1944 under head coach Howard Cann. He earned an aeronautical engineering degree alongside his athletic achievements while helping NYU reach the NCAA final tournament in 1945.
How did Adolph Schayes develop his signature shooting technique called the Sputnik?
An injury to his right arm early in his career forced him to learn shooting with his off-hand. This adaptation made him exceptionally difficult to guard throughout his professional tenure as defenders faced a high-arcing shot from Schayes that teammates nicknamed the Sputnik.
Which team did Adolph Schayes lead to win the NBA championship in 1955?
Syracuse Nationals offered Adolph Schayes a contract worth $7,500 after trading for his rights from the Tri-Cities Blackhawks. He led the team to win the NBA championship in 1955.
When did Adolph Schayes retire as a player and what coaching record did he achieve?
He played only 24 games during the transition period before retiring as a player after the 1963, 64 season. The league named him NBA Coach of the Year in 1966 when his team won the Eastern Division regular-season title.