The oldest Knick and last of the original Knicks is dead.
Point guard Ossie Schectman, who had been the oldest living Knick at age 94 and who scored the NBA’s first basket, died Tuesday morning. Schectman, who lived in upstate Goshen, was the last living member of the 1946-47 Knicks. He also played at Tilden High in Brooklyn and for LIU.
The oldest former Knick currently is not Kurt Thomas, but 90-year-old Dick Schrider, who played for the 1948-49 Knicks.
Schectman, who had remained in touch with the Knicks organization. scored the league’s first bucket on a fastbreak drive on Nov. 1, 1946, against the Toronto Huskies. Schectman explained in a video the Knicks opener in Toronto came the day before the rest of the teams played because of a hockey conflict.
“Lo and behold, I scored the first two points,’’ he said. “I got a charge out of that.’’
Commissioner David Stern commemorated Schectman passing in a statement, calling him “a pioneer.’’ Stern added. “Playing for the New York Knickerbockers in the 1946-47 season, Ossie scored the league’s first basket, which placed him permanently in the annals of NBA history. On behalf of the entire NBA family, our condolences go out to Ossie’s family.’’