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Ossie SchectmanAmerican professional basketball player
Date of Birth: 30.05.1919
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Oscar Schectman
- Professional Career
- First Basket in NBA History
- Return to the ABL
- Later Years and Legacy
Oscar Schectman
Early Life and Basketball BeginningsOscar Schectman was born in Kew Gardens, New York, in 1919. As the son of Russian Jewish immigrants, he immersed himself in basketball at a young age. He honed his skills at Brooklyn's Boys' High School before continuing to excel at Long Island University, where he showcased his prowess as both a guard and forward.
Professional Career
In 1939, Schectman led Long Island University to undefeated seasons in both the National Invitation Tournament and the National Championship. Graduating in 1941, he joined the Philadelphia Sphas of the American Basketball League (ABL). The Sphas, a former non-league powerhouse that joined the ABL in 1933, quickly established themselves as a formidable force. In Schectman's second professional season (1942), they won the league championship. The following year, he ranked second in the league in scoring.
First Basket in NBA History
In 1946, Schectman joined the New York Knickerbockers of the newly formed Basketball Association of America (BAA), the forerunner to the NBA. On November 1, 1946, in the inaugural BAA game between the Knickerbockers and the Toronto Huskies, Schectman made history by scoring the first basket in NBA history. The Knickerbockers ultimately won the game by a narrow two-point margin. When the BAA was renamed the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1949, Schectman's status as the first-ever NBA scorer remained intact.
Return to the ABL
After a single season with the Knicks, Schectman returned to the ABL, joining the Paterson Crescents. He earned All-ABL honors in his first season, leading the team to their first league championship appearance in franchise history.
Later Years and Legacy
Oscar Schectman died in 2013 at the age of 94. He was survived by his wife, Evelyn, and their two sons. Schectman was celebrated in the documentary "First Basket" about the history of Jewish basketball. He was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1998, the Long Island University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001, and the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame. Schectman's legacy as the first scorer in NBA history continues to inspire and connect fans of the sport worldwide.
