Amanda Knapp
Ossie Schectman scored the first points in the history of the NBA. On November 1, 1946, Schectman made the first basket in the inaugural game of the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which later became the NBA. The New York Knicks player scored against the Toronto Huskies at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens, with the Knicks winning the game 68-66. Schectman played just one season for the Knicks and died in 2013 at the age of 94.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the player who scored the first basket | Ossie Schectman |
| Date | November 1, 1946 |
| Teams playing | Knicks and Toronto Huskies |
| Venue | Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens |
| Final score | 68-66 (Knicks won) |
| Year of death | 2013 |
| Age at the time of death | 94 |
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What You'll Learn
Ossie Schectman scored the first NBA basket
On November 1, 1946, Ossie Schectman scored the first-ever NBA basket. The game was between the Knicks and the Toronto Huskies at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens. The Knicks won the game 68-66. Schectman's basket is considered the first in NBA history, although the league was known as the Basketball Association of America (BAA) at the time and did not become the NBA until its merger with the National Basketball League in 1949.
Schectman played just one season for the New York Knicks, appearing in 54 games and averaging 8.1 points per game. This included a season-high of 19 points against the Providence Steamrollers. Despite his relatively modest scoring average, Schectman's ability to facilitate and create opportunities for his teammates made him an integral part of the team. He ended his BAA career with 435 points and went on to join the Paterson Crescents of the ABL, winning the league championship in the 1947-48 season.
Ossie Schectman's legacy extends beyond his historic first basket. He was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Long Island University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001. Schectman also appeared in the 2008 documentary film "The First Basket," which chronicled his groundbreaking achievement. On April 27, 2013, he signed his last autograph for young NBA fans who visited him in his New City, New York home. Sadly, Schectman passed away on July 30, 2013, at the age of 94 in Delray Beach, Florida.
Despite some debates about the specifics of the league's history, Ossie Schectman's place in NBA lore is secure. His achievement in scoring the first basket for the New York Knicks set a precedent for the sport's future stars and contributed to the foundation of what would become the NBA. Schectman's name is forever etched in the record books, and his contribution to the game's early days in North America is undeniable.
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Schectman played for the New York Knicks
Ossie Schectman, who played for the New York Knicks, scored the first basket in the inaugural game of the Basketball Association of America (BAA) on November 1, 1946. The BAA later became the NBA. In that game, the Knicks beat the Toronto Huskies 68-66 in Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens. Schectman's achievement is recognised as the first basket in NBA history.
Schectman played just one season for the New York Knicks, appearing in 54 games. During that single season, he averaged 8.1 points per game, ranking 39th in the league. This average contributed to his team's highest win share. Despite only playing for one season, Schectman's impact on the Knicks and the NBA was significant. He helped the Knicks secure victories and laid the foundation for the team's future success.
Schectman's time with the Knicks was abruptly cut short due to a severe internal injury he sustained during a game in Chicago in March 1947. This injury sidelined him for the remainder of his time with the team. Despite this setback, Schectman ended his BAA career with an impressive 435 points. His performance in those 54 games cemented his legacy in the history of the Knicks and the NBA.
After his time with the Knicks, Schectman joined the Paterson Crescents of the ABL, where he continued to excel. During the 1947-1948 season, he helped lead the Paterson Crescents to the league championship. Schectman's contributions were recognised, and he was named to the All-ABL first team. His impact on the sport extended beyond his playing career, as he was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Long Island University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001.
Schectman's achievements were not limited to the courts; he also left a lasting impact on the culture and history of basketball. He appeared in the 2008 documentary film "The First Basket," which chronicled his groundbreaking achievement of scoring the first basket in the NBA. On April 27, 2013, he signed his last autograph for devoted NBA fans who visited him in his New City, New York home. Sadly, Schectman passed away on July 30, 2013, at the age of 94 in Delray Beach, Florida. His legacy continues to inspire basketball players and fans worldwide.
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The Knicks' opponents were the Toronto Huskies
The first-ever NBA game was played between the New York Knicks and the Toronto Huskies on November 1, 1946, at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Canada. The Knicks' opponents, the Toronto Huskies, were part of the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which later became the NBA. This game marked the beginning of the 1946-47 BAA season, which was the Toronto Huskies' inaugural and only season in the league.
The Toronto Huskies had a challenging start to their first and final season in the BAA. They lost their first game against the Knicks by a close score of 68-66. The Huskies' inaugural season saw them through four different head coaches: Ed Sadowski, Lew Hayman, Dick Fitzgerald, and Red Rolfe. Despite their efforts, the team finished last in their division.
The attendance for the historic first game between the Knicks and the Huskies was 7,090 spectators, with ticket prices ranging from 75 cents to two dollars and fifty cents. Interestingly, anyone taller than George Nostrand, the tallest Husky at 6'8", was granted free admission. However, the Huskies' performance in their inaugural season failed to attract a large audience, and attendance quickly declined.
The Toronto Huskies' brief existence in the BAA, folding after just one season, stands in contrast to the enduring legacy of Ossie Schectman, the player who scored the first basket in that inaugural game. Schectman played for the Knicks in that inaugural season, appearing in 54 games and averaging 8.1 points per game. He suffered a serious internal injury in March 1947, bringing his BAA career to a close with a total of 435 points.
In summary, the Toronto Huskies, the Knicks' opponents in the first-ever NBA game, had a short-lived and challenging existence in the BAA. They folded after their inaugural 1946-47 season, finishing last in their division. Meanwhile, Ossie Schectman, the player who scored the first basket, went on to have a notable career before being inducted into basketball halls of fame.
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The game was played on November 1, 1946
The first-ever game of the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which later became the NBA, was played on November 1, 1946. The game was between the New York Knicks and the Toronto Huskies, and it took place at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens. The Knicks won the game 68-66, and the first basket, now considered the first in NBA history, was scored by Ossie Schectman of the Knicks.
Schectman played just one season for the Knicks, appearing in 54 games and averaging 8.1 points per game. He ended his BAA career with 435 points and went on to join the Paterson Crescents of the ABL, winning the league championship in the 1947-48 season.
Ossie Schectman passed away on July 30, 2013, at the age of 94. He was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Long Island University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001. He also appeared in the 2008 documentary film "The First Basket," which chronicled his historic achievement in the NBA's inaugural game.
So, to answer the question directly, the first-ever NBA basketball was scored by Ossie Schectman on November 1, 1946, in the BAA's first-ever game, which later transformed into the NBA.
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Schectman died in 2013, aged 94
Ossie Schectman, the player who scored the first-ever points in the NBA, died on July 30, 2013, at the age of 94. Schectman made history on November 1, 1946, when he scored the first basket in the inaugural game of the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which later became the NBA. The game was played between the Knicks and the Toronto Huskies at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens, with the Knicks winning 68-66.
Schectman's achievement set the tone for his successful career in basketball. During his lone season with the Knicks, he played 54 games and averaged an impressive 8.1 points per game, ranking 39th in the league. This performance helped him attain the highest win share for his team, and he concluded his BAA tenure with a respectable 435 points.
Following his stint with the Knicks, Schectman joined the Paterson Crescents of the ABL, where he continued to excel. In the 1947-1948 season, he played a pivotal role in leading the Paterson Crescents to the league championship. Schectman's outstanding performance earned him a place on the All-ABL first team.
Beyond his on-court accomplishments, Schectman's impact on the sport extended to its historical recognition. He appeared in the 2008 documentary film "The First Basket," which chronicled the early days of basketball. On April 27, 2013, just months before his passing, Schectman also interacted with young NBA fans, signing his final autograph for them while residing in an elderly home in New City, New York.
Schectman's death at the age of 94 marked the end of a remarkable life that left an indelible mark on the world of basketball. His legacy is forever etched in the history of the NBA, and he will be remembered as the player who scored the first points in what would become one of the most prestigious basketball leagues in the world.
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Frequently asked questions
Ossie Schectman scored the first points in the NBA's history.
On November 1, 1946, in the first game of the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which later became the NBA, Schectman made the first basket.
The Knicks and the Toronto Huskies. The final score was 68-66 for the Knicks.
Yes, after his time with the Knicks, Schectman joined the Paterson Crescents of the ABL.
