Ossie Schectman passes away, scored first NBA basket

New York Knick Ossie Schectman, the first player to score in NBA history, passed away Tuesday (Wednesday, PHL time), at the age of 94, the Knicks announced.

Schectman was a member of the 1946 New York Knicks, hitting a lay-up at the Maple Leaf Gardens against the Toronto Huskies, back when the league was known as the Basketball Association of America.

NBA Commissioner David Stern: “Ossie Schectman was a true NBA pioneer. Playing for the New York Knickerbockers in the 1946-47 season (con't)

— NBA History (@NBAHistory) July 30, 2013

(NBA Commissioner David Stern) (con't) Ossie scored the league’s first basket, which placed him permanently in the annals of NBA history ...

— NBA History (@NBAHistory) July 30, 2013

(NBA Commissioner David Stern) (con't) "On behalf of the entire NBA family, our condolences go out to Ossie’s family.”

— NBA History (@NBAHistory) July 30, 2013

NBA Commissioner David Stern said "Ossie Schectman was a true NBA pioneer. 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."

Footage of the first basket can be seen below:



- AMD, GMA News