Oscar “Ossie” Schectman, the former New York Knicks guard who scored the first basket in NBA history, died Tuesday. He was 94.
Schectman’s son Peter confirmed his father’s death, which was also announced by the Knicks. Peter says his dad died of complications from respiratory failure.
Schectman scored the opening basket of a game in what was then known as the BAA on Nov. 1, 1946 for the Knicks against the Toronto Huskies.
Commissioner David Stern said Tuesday in a statement that Schectman was a “pioneer.” The commissioner says, “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.”