DAVEDEBUSSCHERE
DETROIT PISTONSDave DeBusschere — 2× NBA champion, 8× All-Star, 6× All-Defensive First Team. Career stats, bio and legacy of the defensive anchor of the championship Knicks.
2×NBA CHAMPION
8×ALL-STARDave Debusschere biography — NBA career story, legacy, championships, awards and personal background.
Career timeline, milestones, and place among all-time greats.
Only 24 years old when he became player-coach of the Detroit Pistons — the youngest coach in NBA history — Dave DeBusschere went on to anchor the defense of a genuine championship dynasty. Born October 16, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan. Died May 14, 2003, in New York City, at age 62. Height 6 ft 6 in (198 cm).
He starred at Detroit Mercy (1959–1962), also pitching professionally for the Chicago White Sox in 1962 and 1963 while playing in the NBA simultaneously. Selected as a territorial pick by the Detroit Pistons in 1962, he was traded to the New York Knicks in 1968, where teammate Walt Frazier credited him with turning the franchise around.
DeBusschere won two NBA championships with the Knicks (1970, 1973). An eight-time NBA All-Star, he made the All-Defensive First Team six consecutive seasons (1969–1974) and the All-NBA Second Team once, known as one of the toughest defensive forwards of his era despite giving up size to bigger opponents.
Career totals: 14,053 points (16.1 ppg), 9,618 rebounds (11.0 rpg), 2,497 assists (2.9 apg) over 875 games and 12 seasons.
His No. 22 was retired by the New York Knicks. Named to the NBA's 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams. Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983.
Dave Debusschere quick facts — Height 6'6. 16.1 PPG career average. Championship years: 1970, 1973.
Height, weight, draft year, and years in the league.
Dave Debusschere awards and honors — Championship years: 1970, 1973.
Major individual and team accolades with seasons won.
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Dave Debusschere career statistics summary — 16.1 PPG career average.
Regular-season averages and totals across the full NBA career.
Dave Debusschere career highs — best single-game performances in points, rebounds, assists and more.
Personal records with dates and opponents.
vs BUF
vs BAL
vs NYK
vs CHI
vs DET
Dave Debusschere advanced stats — PER, win shares, BPM and overall impact metrics.
Impact measured beyond traditional box score statistics.
Dave Debusschere playoff stats — postseason points, rebounds, assists and games played.
Postseason production across every playoff run.
Dave Debusschere All-Star Game stats — appearances, minutes and showcase performance.
Mid-season exhibition stats across every All-Star selection.
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Dave Debusschere NBA transactions — trades, signings and team changes by date.
Team moves and dates across every NBA stop.
FAQ about Dave Debusschere — rings, MVP awards, career stats, height.
Answers to the most searched questions about championships and career honors.
Dave DeBusschere averaged 16.1 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists per game in the regular season.
Players similar to Dave Debusschere — statistical peers by position, peak seasons and career arc.
All-time comparisons with the closest playing profile.
NoteThe club shown in the profile isn't necessarily the player's last team, but the one he's most associated with and that defined his career. See the full team history in the Transactions section.