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Dave DeBusschere's birth name was 'David Albert DeBusschere'. In May 2003, DeBusschere collapsed on a Manhattan street from a heart attack and was pronounced dead at New York University Hospital. DeBusschere became a regular quickly on the Pistons, and in the off-season pitched for two years with the Chicago White Sox. Dave, his face drawn from the long season; and Willis, with his brow furrowed, and heating packs on each knee. } Who are the richest people in the world? "He was the difference in turning a team that was mediocre around," Frazier said. 2003 The Associated Press. Trump speaks at CPAC after winning straw poll DeBusschere was inducted into theNaismith Basketball Hall of Fame. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. It was so shocking, so unexpected, so final. DeBusschere scored 19 points and fellow senior Antoni Vlogianitis added 18 to lead No. In honor of the former basketball great, UDM inaugurated the Dave DeBusschere Scholarship following his passing in 2003. In 1996 he was named one of the 50 greatest playersin NBA history. Dave DeBusschere was a loyal friend, an unselfish teammate and a quality human being, said ex-New Jersey Sen. Bill Bradley, DeBusscheres former teammate and front court partner. In the 19641965 season, at the age of 24, he was given the position of player-coach for the Pistons, and thus became the youngest-ever coach in league history. Reed recalled the time the Knicks were eliminated from the N.B.A. When I saw the newspaper stories after Dave's death, one photo caught my eye. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. ", "Dave DeBusschere was a loyal friend, an unselfish teammate and a quality human being," said former U.S. senator Bill Bradley, his longtime roommate. This story has been shared 137,435 times. If their glory years could be traced to a date, that was Dec. 19, 1968, when their general manager, Eddie Donovan, obtained DeBusschere from the Detroit Pistons for center Walt Bellamy and guard Howard Komives. The city of Detroit has producedmany great basketball players. "He finally made the choice to go to the NBA, but he was a rare two-sport athlete," McCraw said. 3. Venus is graceful, charming, sensual and social. DeBusschere impacted the game of basketball in many ways, both on and off the court. They were too young to see action in World War II and too old to participate in the fun of the Summer of Love. Looking at 5 key stats heading into Saturday's clash between top East teams Philadelphia and Milwaukee. It was of Dave driving to the basket, the ball in his left hand, legs sturdy, shoulders strong, shock of dark hair matted with sweat, and a face full of his unique determination. #inline-recirc-item--id-92bd021e-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d, #right-rail-recirc-item--id-92bd021e-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d { [5], In his honor, the University of Detroit Mercy inaugurated the Dave DeBusschere Scholarship in 2003. He played from 1962 to 1974. Back at the hotel. He died on May 14, 2003 in New York City, New York, USA. Dave DeBusschere brought out his lucky horseshoe to ensure the @nyknicks secured the #1 pick. Scroll below and check our most recent updates about Dave Debusschere Net . Dave DeBusschere weighed 225 lbs (102 kg) when playing. Death, Burial, Cemetery & Obituaries . He pitched the university to three N.C.A.A. His strength, dedication and modesty lay at the core of our great Knick teams., He was like a brother to me. He was renowned for his physical style of play and tenacious defense, and he was named to the NBA All-Defensive first team six times.[12]. He was a famous man who didnt think he was famous, he never put on any airs, DiGarbo said. I didnt realize he was as good as he was until we got him, Holzman said. The Flyers (22-3) won both regular . They know what it takes to get through a long season, to recover from a loss, to pull out a win when you're hurt or tired. ``You can't go through a season like this,'' he said. Gerri is survived by three children, Peter, Michelle, and Dennis, all of whom reside in New York, where DeBusschere played with the Knicks for the majority of his professional basketball career. And we did. How it felt to hear the roar of the Garden crowd, to know the satisfaction of a play well-executed, to feel the chills of winning a championship, to share the camaraderie, even brotherhood, of working in an environment of mutual trust, with people you respected, each of whom had the courage to take the last second shot. Norfolk Southern train derails in Springfield, Ohio Full Site Menu. I think the fans loved Dave because they sensed what his teammates already knew: he was the real thing. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. ''Sometimes he'll score only 4 or 6 points in 40 minutes. Dave Debusschere was born on the 16th of October, 1940. Ruling Planet: Dave Debusschere had a ruling planet of Venus and has a ruling planet of Venus and by astrological associations Friday is ruled by Venus. Dave and Gerri meant so much to so many Titan alumni and fans for so many years.. When coach DeBusschere asked the general managers of other teams which Pistons they would trade for, the answer was always the same: You.. After his career as a basketball executive ended in 1986, DeBusschere joined Williamson, Picket and Gross, where he was a commercial-property executive. DeBusschere went into private business in 1976, then returned to the NBA in May 1982, when he became general manager of the Knicks, a job he held until 1986. Buried: St. Joseph Church Cemetery, Garden City, NY High School: Austin Catholic HS (Detroit, MI) . Speakola is a labour of love and Id be very grateful if you would share, tweet or like it. ''We believed in hard work and teamwork.''. He played college basketball for the University of Detroit and was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 1962. He snagged a $75,000 signing bonus from the Chicago White Sox and received a $15,000 contract from the Detroit Pistons, who had claimed him as a territorial draft pick. "Dave was a great teammate as well as a great friend. team from 1969 to 1974. Dave DeBusschere, 62, Relentless Forward On Knicks' Championship Teams, Is Dead. Dave DeBusschere. In 1962, he was drafted by the NBAs Detroit Pistons and signed by baseballs Chicago White Sox as a pitcher. If I had $100 for every night Dave played hurt, I could buy a nice car. He became a member of the NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996. Dave DeBusschere was one of those great players to come out of the city. Although he battled for many of his points under the basket, he also proved that he could score with a good, if inconsistent, long-range shot. "He was the final piece of the puzzle.". Dave DeBusschere, byname of David Albert DeBusschere, (born October 16, 1940, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.died May 14, 2003, New York, New York), American basketball player who became the youngest coach in National Basketball Association (NBA) history when at age 24 he became player-coach for the Detroit Pistons; he later provided tenacious defense DeBusschere was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1983. }, First published on May 15, 2003 / 3:37 AM. Nogreediness. In 1996, DeBusschere was named as one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history. Do you have a blog? finals in 1972. Pallbearers. He was 62. New episode of the podcast is terrific. He was also the youngest player-coach ever (23 w/Det), a MLB pitcher, and the ABA's last commissioner. Daves education details are not available at this time. Dave DeBusschere was inducted to the Hall of Fame as a Player in 1983 (Full List) "He possessed the highest levels of integrity and character and was a very classy guy.". In 2003 he suffered a tragic death that shocked the NBA world. Dave, who had joined the team from Detroit two months earlier, saw how I felt and put me straight. Durant, a four-time scoring champion, now sets his sights on Hakeem Olajuwon in 12th place. I shared the pride that he and Geri felt as Michelle, Peter and Dennis grew into spectacular young adults. He played from 1962 to 1974. Edit your search or learn more. The Knicks won the N.B.A. He was a founder of the National Basketball Retired Players Association in 1992, following his playing days. David was 62 years old at the time of death. In the early 1970's, the. The Memphis forward sustained the injury Friday night during the 1st quarter of the Grizzlies 113-97 loss to the Nuggets. He pitched in the White Sox's minor league system for two more seasons before giving up pitching to focus on both playing and coaching basketball. In May 2003, DeBusschere collapsed on a Manhattan street from a heart attack and was pronounced dead at New York University Hospital. People who are born with Mars as the ruling planet have beauty, charm and sensuality. It was a relief to give up coaching, he later toldNewsday. Zodiac Sign: Dave Debusschere was a Libra. DeBusschere, who died in 2003, could do anything on the court. Knicks blossomed after adding DeBusschere. Below the countdown to Dave Debusschere upcoming birthday. The eight-time All-Star, who helped the Knicks win two NBA championships, was 62. "As a player, coach, general manager, and ABA commissioner, Dave DeBusschere was a winner," NBA commissioner David Stern said. 1 choice in the 1985 draft, but they could not win a championship with him. In 1996 he was named as one of the top 50 players in NBA history. He was an extraordinary gentleman, filled with a deep sense of gratitude, humility and grace., And NBA Commissioner David Stern called DeBusschere a hard-nosed, blue-collar hero who gave all of his considerable energy to our game.. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. It's been a long time since the Knicks were champions and I roomed with Dave. in May 1975 and helped bring about the league's merger with the N.B.A. David Albert DeBusschere 194010162003514 NBA 1962NBA NBA 1 2 3 4 [ ] October 16, Dave DeBusschere was drafted by Detroit Pistons, 1st round (4th pick, 4th overall), 1962 NBA Draft (territorial selection). Once more details are available, we will update this section. In 1968, he was traded to the Knicks and immediately fit in on a team that would win the 1970 and 1973 championships. The next year he was traded to the Knicks. Age, Biography and Wiki. Big D was an 8x All-Star, 2x Champ ('70/73 NYK), one of the best defensive forwards ever, plus an ahead-of-his-time outside shooter. AKA David Albert DeBusschere. All Rights Reserved. He was above the petty things in life, and he wasn't impressed easily. ''Even though he often played with nagging injuries, I never once heard him complain.''. Whos the richest Basketball Player in the world? The situation changed, however, when Paul Seymour took over as the Pistons coach. I was scoring better, rebounding better, defending better and doing everything else better.. At the age of 24, Dave DeBusschere made the remarkable transition to Player/Coach for the Detroit Pistons. From there, the Knicks became championship-caliber. His style was a hallmark of the 1970s Knicks and he remains a part of New York lore even after his death at 62 years old in 2003 from a heart attack. If Bush or Madonna or Rockefeller walked into a bar, I bet he'd barely look up from the beer he was sharing with a friend. 1964 Topps. Gerri DeBusschere, wife of the legendary NBA basketball great and former Titan All-American Dave DeBusschere, passed away last week after her courageous battle with cancer. The final contest of the seven-game series is now legendary. But, there he was, ready to go, when the buzzer sounded--with a strip of plastic over his nose, held in place by white adhesive tape forming an ``H'' above and below his eyes. Do you have a sports website? DeBusschere was a folk hero in that city, where he grew up and starred at baseball as well as basketball. During the 1968-69 season, he was traded to the New York Knicks after playing 29 games with the Pistons. UDM athletic director Keri Gaither and senior associate athletic director Daron Montgomery are attending Mrs. DeBusschere's funeral on behalf of Titan Athletics. He was like a brother to me.". Limping up and down the floor, he nevertheless scored the Knicks first two baskets and inspired the team to a 113-99 victory. Dave DeBusschere was born on October 16, 1940 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. But Vecsey also wrote of a dark side, which I'm not convinced was necessary for him to do so, though it's worth mentioning for the purposes of this piece. myocardial . A year later, he became commissioner of the ABA and was instrumental in the 1976 merger with the NBA. He was 62. Dave Debusschere American ex-basketball player and coach Birthday: October 16, 1940 Birthplace: Death Date: May 14, 2003 : 62 years old : Libra About Dave Debusschere Dave Debusschere [David Albert DeBusschere] is famed for his remarkable achievements in big-league American Sports. defensive squad six times. He was named to the All-Defensive First Team in each of the awards first six years of existence. But time has only deepened our friendship. The overwhelming emotion derives from more than pride. He took him to school. I admired him and his dedication.". He handled the ball well for a big man, and occasionally the Pistons used him at guard. I think I have done that bit', BAFTA acceptance, Leading Actress - 2019, Axel Scheffler: 'The book wasn't called 'No Room on the Broom! We were honored that the DeBusscheres have asked their family and friends for memorial gifts to their Dad's scholarship fund, instead of flowers, Gaither said. The elder Dave DeBusschere who pitched for the Chicago White Sox for two seasons and became the Detroit Pistons' player-coach at the age of 24 was a rugged 6-6 forward and solid rebounder. Playing 12 seasons in the N.B.A., DeBusschere was an All-Star eight times and was named to the all-N.B.A. @CrownBBALL. All of a sudden, DeBusschere starts up. Congrats Dave! David Albert DeBusschere (October 16, 1940 - May 14, 2003) was an American professional National Basketball Association (NBA) player and coach and Major League Baseball (MLB) player. You dont realize how good a guy is until you see him play every night., Former Hawks coach Richie Guerin shared Holzmans high opinion of DeBusschere: Dave is one of the 10 best forwards I have ever seen play basketball, and he just may be one of the five or six best I have ever seen.. Students who are considered for the scholarship must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills. Michael Cooney was a speechwriter for @, For Dave Debusschere: 'It was as if a lightning bolt hit my heart', by Bill Bradley - 2003. http://shoutsfromthestoop.blogspot.com.au/ For Lorna Colbert: 'We were the light of her life, and she let us know it til the end', by son Steven Colbert, For Sally Crisp: 'A life bloody well lived', by son Angus - 2016 , Jon Stewart: "They responded in five seconds", 9-11 first responders, Address to Congress - 2019, Jacinda Ardern: 'They were New Zealanders. In November, Pistons owner Fred Zollner made a dramatic move he appointed DeBusschere player-coach. He will be greatly missed.. The D could also stand for Detroit. He was 62 years of age. ''We were all sitting there, in the dressing room, feeling pretty bad. If the truth be told (as Geri knows), on many occasions Dave woke me up with his snoring. Hall of Fame NBA forward who was selected to 8 All-Star games and won 2 NBA Championships with the New York Knicks in the early 1970s; named to 6 straight NBA All-Defensive teams from 1969 to 1974. DeBusschere had a heart attack on a street in Lower Manhattan and died at New York University Downtown Hospital, a spokesman for Madison Square Garden said. [13] He was later the assistant coach and director of basketball operations of the Knicks during the 1980s, when he drafted fellow Knicks legend Patrick Ewing with the first overall selection in 1985. He averaged 16.1 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 875 regular-season games. Discover Dave DeBusschere's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Dave DeBusschere: The Man Who Filled Four Positions, 1971 April 4, 2022, , , , Wilt Chamberlain [Blame it on Otto Moore of the Detroit Pistons. It provides support to two student-athletes that must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills.[15]. And I'd get a few hours of sleep .. until the next time. Current Greats: . Born in Detroit, Oct. 16, 1940, DeBusschere was a two-sport star at the University of Detroit, one of a handful of players to reach the major leagues in both basketball and baseball. Dave DeBusschere (David Albert DeBusschere) was born on 16 October, 1940 in Detroit, Michigan, USA, is an Actor. Theres not one other guy in this league who gives the 100 percent DeBusschere does, every night, every game of the season, at both ends of the court, Bill Bridges of the Atlanta Hawks once toldNewsday. The Hall of Famer became the assistant coach and director of basketball operation of the Knicks during the 1980s. Countdown to Dave Debusschere's birthday And, I will never forget when he told me how proud he was to be sitting in the gallery the day I was sworn into the Senate. For the Knicks, the big one happened 45 years ago next month, when they traded Walt Bellamy, an All-Star-caliber center, for Dave DeBusschere. You crowned us', by Toni Morrison - 1988, for Michael Gordon: '13 days ago my Dads big, beautiful, generous heart suddenly stopped beating', by Scott and Sarah Gordon - 2018, Tara Westover: 'Your avatar isn't real, it isn't terribly far from a lie', The Un-Instagrammable Self, Northeastern University - 2019, Tim Minchin: 'Being an artist requires massive reserves of self-belief', WAAPA - 2019, Atul Gawande: 'Curiosity and What Equality Really Means', UCLA Medical School - 2018, Abby Wambach: 'We are the wolves', Barnard College - 2018, Eric Idle: 'America is 300 million people all walking in the same direction, singing 'I Did It My Way'', Whitman College - 2013, Shirley Chisholm: ;America has gone to sleep', Greenfield High School - 1983, Joe Marler: 'Get back on the horse', Harlequins v Bath pre game interview - 2019, Ray Lewis : 'The greatest pain of my life is the reason I'm standing here today', 52 Cards -, Mel Jones: 'If she was Bradman on the field, she was definitely Keith Miller off the field', Betty Wilson's induction into Australian Cricket Hall of Fame - 2017, Jeff Thomson: 'Its all those people that help you as kids', Hall of Fame - 2016, Dan Angelucci: 'The Best (Best Man) Speech of all time', for Don and Katherine - 2019, Hallerman Sisters: 'Oh sister now we have to let you gooooo!' He played for the Chicago White Sox of MLB in 1962 and 1963 and in the NBA for the Detroit Pistons from 1962 through 1968 and for the New York Knicks from 1968 to 1974. Right, Born: We could hear him shout. He still holds the all-time Titan records for career scoring average (24.8 ppg) and total rebounds (1,552) and remains the third-leading scorer (1,985) in school history as well. 2010 Panini Gold Standard Platinum Gold #188 Dave DeBusschere: $9.75: 2011 Panini Past and Present #184 Dave DeBusschere: $0.34: 2011 Panini Past and Present Variations #45 Dave DeBusschere: $5.53: 2013 Panini Hoops Hall of Fame Heroes #13 Dave DeBusschere: $0.34: 2013 Panini Prizm #230 Dave DeBusschere: A tall right-handed pitcher with a lively fastball, he was called up by the White Sox in 1963 and went 3-4 with a 3.09 ERA. I can remember those nights on the road in late February. ''In basketball, for one, the statistics don't mean a thing -- there is no real value in that scoresheet,'' he wrote in The New York Times in October 1974. He tended to score in bursts, now and then rattling off a string of long jumpers from the corner. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Ten minutes later, the 6-foot-6 former forward collapsed at the corner of Broadway and Rector, near Trinity Church, and died soon after at NYU Downtown Hospital. He watched us emerge from the sea, and shouted, ``DeBusschere--Dave DeBusschere. He was the picture of good health, he never complained about anything.. Or write about sports? Sometimes hell score only four or six points in 40 minutes, Holzman toldNewsday. DeBusschere went on to have asuccessful NBA career. Over the years I commiserated with Dave about the way the Garden treated him when he was G.M. after the 1975-76 season. An 8-time All-Star, Dave DeBusschere was a defensive stopper and keyed the Knicks' title teams in 1970 and '73. He told you exactly how he felt. Dave Debusscheres mothers name is unknown at this time and his fathers name is under review. Dave DeBusschere. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, *Translations are limited to select pages, NBA Legends: Profiling the league's greats, 5 stats to know for 76ers-Bucks matchup on ABC, Brooks suspended after receiving 16th technical foul, Grizzlies' Clarke (torn achilles) out indefinitely, Ja issues apology, will miss 'at least' 2 games, Ex-NBA player Morrow facing assault charges, Durant passes 'Big O' for 13th in career points. Nearly 1,000 people jammed into the city's St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church to attend his memorial service. "He was a hard-nosed, blue-collar hero who gave all of his considerable energy to our game. Italian Wikipedia. Geri, Michelle, Peter, Dennis, DeBusschere sisters and family. Dave DeBusschere played 2 seasons. Let it go. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the Dave DeBusschere Scholarship Fund at University of Detroit Mercy, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, 4001 W. McNichols Road, Detroit, MI , 48221. He seemed to say, ``What's the point of achieving anything in basketball if you can't share it?'' 11.01.09. and he took off. DeBusschere authored a book entitled The Open Man, a chronicle of the New York Knicks' 196970 championship season. The 40s also brought us the Slinky, Velcro, Jeep, Tupperware and Frisbee. 7441173. subject named as. Basketball fans will no doubt remember DeBusschere pounding his fist on the table when the Knicks won the 1985 NBA draft lottery that allowed them to pick Patrick Ewing. DeBusschere was picked on six straight All-Defensive teams and when he retired in 1974, he became general manager of the ABA's New York Nets. Anyone can read what you share. That, in the parlance of the pros, is what Knickerbocker Dave DeBusschere, D. D. (Doctor of Defense) did to his young colleague, Dr. J.the Nets' Julius Erving . 22 jersey was retired in special ceremonies in 1978. He was selected to play in 8 All-Star games, and won 2 NBA championships. Hall of Fame NBA forward who was selected to 8 All-Star games and won 2 NBA Championships with the New York Knicks in the early 1970s; named to 6 straight NBA All-Defensive teams from 1969 to 1974. As we were coming out of the water, we found a lone man, laying on a towel. @tfthomas @NYCHoops @Chaminade_HS @MikeVacc @LIBasketball23 @ANTHONYDESPO @RecruitTheBronx. The next year DeBusschere became the ABA's commissioner for the 197576 season, which would be the last for the league. Our game has lost an icon and the world has lost a good man.". ''Dave DeBusschere is the complete basketball player,'' Holzman told John Devaney for a 1971 profile on DeBusschere in Sport magazine. After the game I was dejected. We've received your submission. When Bellamy departed, Reed became a force at center, dominating on defense as well as on offense, and teaming with DeBusschere, a natural forward at a solid 6 feet 6 inches, to give the team a powerful physical presence in the frontcourt. NTSB to investigate in-flight turbulence that left 1 passenger dead It turned out he was right. In contrast to Frazier and Bradley, DeBusschere was a regular guy a plain-spoken working stiff who enjoyed drinking beers in the locker room after games. However, DeBusschere was injured during his second season and only played in 15 games, resulting in the Pistons finishing with a disappointing record of 2359. During his 12-year NBA career he represented the epitome of the blue-collar basketball star. Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Basketball Reference Database. 9 October 2017. place of death. According to a warrant for Morrow's arrest, he's facing charges of assault by strangulation, second-degree kidnapping and communicating threats. They were here I swear it.''. Dave looked at me; I looked at him, and with a grin he said, ``Let's go.'' I'd shout, ``Dave!'' Dave DeBusschere left all of himself on the court every game. He hated phonies. The NBRPA established a scholarship fund in 1992 and renamed the fund to honor DeBusschere after his death. Friendship, loyalty, hard work, were what he placed the greatest value in. DeBusschere's four sisters Marcia, Sharon, Barbara and Judy, all of whom live in the Detroit area were also in attendance aboard the Ovation yacht that evening. Live Death Statistics Worldwide and The United States. May 14, 2003 - Dave DeBusschere passed away. Dave Debusschere was born on October 16, 1940 (age 63) in Detroit, Michigan, United States. Dave Albert DeBusschere. David Albert DeBusschere (Big D) Position: Power Forward and Small Forward Shoots: Right More bio, uniform, draft, salary info Hall of Fame 8x All Star 2x NBA Champ 1968-69 All-NBA 1962-63 All-Rookie 6x All-Defensive NBA 75th Anniv. Family (1) He and Bradley formed a brilliant front court surrounding center Willis Reed, an inductee last year. and the toast of New York. With Earl Monroe in the backcourt, they became champions again in 1973, beating the Lakers 41 in the finals. Won NBA Championships with Knicks in 1970 and 1973, Named one of 50 greatest players in NBA history in 1997, General manager for Knicks and Nets and ABA commissioner, 18 points and 17 rebounds in 1970 Game 7 victory. Find out more. championships, died yesterday in Manhattan. He attended Austin Catholic High School and led its basketball team to a state championship; was the star hurler on a baseball team that won the city championship and also pitched a local team to a national junior championship. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. On May 14, 2003, he collapsed while walking in Lower. If so, the plan worked. He was 62 years old at the time of his death. After his NBA career, he took a front-office job working with the New York Nets (now Brooklyn Nets) of the American Basketball Association. Draft Night in 85 Retirement Night in 03 pic.twitter.com/KspeKxTLMA. Wait til my family sees this!'' Although he wasnt a great shooter, DeBusschere had the potential to score 20 points every night. He averaged 24 points a game in basketball, helping Detroit reach the National Invitation Tournament twice and the NCAA basketball tournament once. DeBusschere's son Peter flew in from New York for the event and spoke on behalf of the family. As the NBA and ABA start play, teams like the Knicks will be taking their last bows. NEW YORK -- Dave DeBusschere, the defensive cornerstone of two championship teams who also was the NBA's youngest coach and the last commissioner of the rival ABA, died Wednesday of a heart. Currently, Dave Debusschere is 82 years, 4 months and 3 days old. Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. [3] He attended Austin Catholic Preparatory School and inspired the "White Shirted Legion" (the tradition of wearing white shirts to the school's games to make fans more visible). DeBusschere's second year (1963-64) with the Pistons was far less successful as injuries limited him to only 15 games.