Philadelphia Basketball Legend Dolph Schayes Passes Away At 87
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Basketball Hall of Famer and former Syracuse National Dolph Schayes died on Thursday at the age of 87. Schayes was diagnoses with cancer earlier this year.
Schayes, named one of the 50 greatest players in the history of the NBA, was the cornerstone member of the Syracuse Nationals from 1948-1963. Schayes played his entire NBA career with the Syracuse franchise.
When the team moved to Philadelphia in 1963, Schayes went with them and served as a player/coach for one season. He then stuck around as a coach for two more seasons, winning coach of the year in 1966.
In 15 seasons, Schayes tallied 18,438 points and 11,256 rebounds.
The Sixers released the video below to honor Schayes:
In Memory of Dolph SchayesIn memory of one of the greatest to ever play the game, Dolph Schayes.
Posted by Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, December 10, 2015
Sixers CEO Scott O'Neil issued the following statement on behalf of the franchise:
"We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dolph Schayes, a pioneer and iconic member of the Philadelphia 76ers organization and one of the greatest players ever to play the game of basketball. Dolph was an integral part of the foundation on which this franchise was built - first in Syracuse and later in Philadelphia. He will be fondly remembered for the legacy he not only created on the court, but the way he represented the game off the court. On behalf of our entire organization, we would like to express our deepest sympathies to the entire Schayes family during this very difficult time."
A funeral for Schayes is scheduled for Monday. Schayes is survived by his wife, four children and nine grandchildren.