When and where was Ossie Schectman born?
Ossie Schectman entered the world on the 30th of March 1919 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. His parents were Jewish immigrants who had fled Russia to build a new life in America.
Questions about Ossie Schectman
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What specific date did Ossie Schectman score the first point in professional basketball history?
The 1st of November 1946 marked the moment when Ossie Schectman scored the inaugural point during a game between the New York Knicks and the Toronto Huskies. This basket became the first ever recorded in Basketball Association of America play inside Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens arena.
Which teams did Ossie Schectman play for during his professional career?
Schectman began his pro career with Eddie Gottlieb's Philadelphia Sphas starting in 1941 before joining the New York Knicks in 1946. He played all 54 games for the Knicks during that single season until an internal injury cut short his time with the team in March 1947.
In what years was Ossie Schectman inducted into various halls of fame?
The National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame inducted him in 1998 while Long Island University Athletic Hall of Fame added his name in 2001. He also received induction into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame as part of these posthumous honors.
When and where did Ossie Schectman die?
Ossie Schectman died on the 30th of July 2013 at age 94 in Delray Beach, Florida. He lived in an elderly care facility in New City, New York prior to his death.