David Albert (Dave) DeBusschere

David Albert “Dave” DeBusschere

University of Detroit Basketball, Baseball Player (1959 – 1962)
Detroit Pistons Basketball Player (1962 – 1968)
Detroit Pistons Basketball Coach (1964 - 1967)
New York Knicks Basketball Player (1968 – 1974)
American Basketball Association Commissioner (1975 – 1976)

Dave DeBusschere was born in Detroit, Michigan and was a standout basketball player at Austin Catholic Preparatory High School earning All-State honors in his junior year and as a senior helped the basketball team win a state championship in only its third year of existence. DeBusschere went on to the University of Detroit where he played three years of basketball and baseball. In basketball, he was a three-time All-American helping the Titans to two National Invitation Tournament appearances and one NCAA tournament. In baseball he led the Titans to three NCAA tournament berths. He signed with the Chicago White Sox and pitched in the major leagues in 1962 – 1963 and two more years in the minor leagues before giving up baseball to focus solely on basketball. DeBusschere was selected by the Detroit Pistons in 1962 as a territorial draft selection. He spent six seasons with the Pistons earning a spot on the All-Rookie team. As a 24-year old he was also named the Pistons Head coach, a position he held for three seasons before devoting himself full-time as a player. In the 1968-1969 season he was traded to the New York Knicks where he finished his career helping the Knicks win two NBA Championships. In his twelve-year NBA career, he was named to the All-Star team eight times, a six-time NBA All-Defensive team member and named to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team. He was the Commissioner of the American Basketball Association (ABA) in 1975 – 1976 and was instrumental in the merger with the NBA. He was one of only thirteen athletes to play both professional baseball and basketball. His number 22 was retired by the University of Detroit as well as the New York Knicks. Dave DeBusschere was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983, the Detroit Mercy Titans Hall of Fame in 1977, and was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1977. He passed away on May 14, 2003 at 62 years of age.