Dolph Schayes, basketball player and coach, Died at 87

  Sports

Adolph “Dolph” Schayes was born on May 19, 1928, and died on December 10, 2015.

He was an American professional basketball player and coach in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

A top scorer and rebounder, Adolph was a member of the 1955 NBA champion Syracuse Nationals and a 12-time All-Star.

Adolph played his entire Hall of Fame career with the Nationals and their successor, the Philadelphia 76ers, from 1948 to 1964.

In his 16-year career, Adolph led the team into the post-season 15 times.

Adolph was born in the Bronx, New York City, the son of Carl (truck driver for Consolidated Laundries) and Tina (homemaker). Both of his parents were Romanian Jewish immigrants.

“Adolph” grew up on Davidson Avenue and 183rd Street, near Jerome Avenue in University Heights, Bronx.

He is the father of retired NBA centre Danny Schayes, who played in the NBA for 18 seasons.

Adolph is the grandfather of Abi, Carla and Rachel Goettsch, who won silver medals for the U.S. volleyball team at the 2001 Maccabiah Games, and Mickey Ferri, who won a gold medal in the 4×100 metres relay at the 2005 Maccabiah Games.

He settled in Syracuse in 1948, where he first played in the NBA, and where he was a real estate developer after his playing days.

Adolph Schayes passed away due to cancer on December 10, 2015.