Short answers, pulled from the story.
Ossie Schectman scored the first basket in NBA history on the 1st of November, 1946, playing for the New York Knicks against the Toronto Huskies at Maple Leaf Gardens. The Basketball Association of America, in which he scored the basket, later became the NBA.
Ossie Schectman was born on the 30th of March, 1919, in New Brunswick, New Jersey. His parents were Jewish immigrants from Russia.
Schectman played for the New York Knicks when he scored the historic basket. The Knicks won that game against the Toronto Huskies 68-66.
Schectman played at Long Island University under coach Clair Bee. In 1939, he was part of the LIU team that won both the National Invitation Tournament and the National Championship, and he was named to the Converse All-American first team in 1941.
Ossie Schectman died on the 30th of July, 2013, in Delray Beach, Florida, at age 94. He was survived by his sons Stewart and Peter, his sister, and two grandchildren.
Schectman was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1998, the Long Island University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001, and the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame. He also appeared in the 2008 documentary film The First Basket.