Dick McGuire facts for kids
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 25, 1926 The Bronx, New York, U.S. |
| Died | February 3, 2010 (aged 84) Huntington, New York, U.S. |
| High school | La Salle Academy (New York City, New York) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Listed weight | 180 lb (82 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College |
|
| NBA Draft | 1949 / Round: 1 / Pick: 7th overall |
| Selected by the New York Knicks | |
| Pro career | 1949–1960 |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1949–1957 | New York Knicks |
| 1957–1960 | Detroit Pistons |
| As coach: | |
| 1959–1963 | Detroit Pistons |
| 1965–1968 | New York Knicks |
| 1972–1979 | New York Knicks (assistant) |
| Career highlights and awards | |
As player:
As assistant coach:
|
|
| Career statistics | |
| Points | 5,921 (8.0 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 2,784 (4.2 rpg) |
| Assists | 4,205 (5.7 apg) |
Richard Joseph McGuire (born January 26, 1926 – died February 3, 2010) was an American professional basketball player and coach. He was known as one of the best guards in the 1950s. Dick McGuire played 11 seasons in the NBA. He spent eight seasons with the New York Knicks and three with the Detroit Pistons.
McGuire was a fantastic player who led the league in assists during his first year. He made a record 386 assists that season! He was one of the top ten players for assists in ten of his eleven seasons. Dick McGuire was also chosen as an NBA All-Star seven times. In 1951, he was named to the All-NBA Second Team. A movie called Sweetwater even featured him in 2023.
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Who Was Dick McGuire?
Dick McGuire was a talented point guard who played basketball at a high level. He was known for his amazing passing skills. A point guard is like the team's quarterback, setting up plays and helping teammates score.
He started his NBA career with the New York Knicks in 1949. He quickly became a key player for the team. His ability to pass the ball and create scoring chances made him stand out. He helped the Knicks reach the NBA Finals three times in the early 1950s.
From Player to Coach
After his playing days, Dick McGuire became a coach. He started as a player-coach for the Detroit Pistons in his last season (1959–60). He continued coaching the Pistons until 1963.
Later, he coached the New York Knicks for three seasons, starting in 1965. He had a coaching record of 197 wins and 260 losses. Even after his coaching career, he stayed involved with the Knicks. He worked as a senior consultant for the team until he passed away in 2010 at age 84.
A Family of Basketball Stars
Basketball talent ran in the McGuire family! Dick's brother, Al McGuire, was also a very famous figure in basketball. Al coached Marquette University to win the NCAA basketball championship in 1977.
Dick and Al McGuire are the only pair of brothers who have both been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. This is a huge honor for their family! Dick's nephew, Allie McGuire, also played in the NBA, continuing the family's basketball legacy.
Honored by the Knicks and Beyond
Dick McGuire's impact on the New York Knicks was so significant that his jersey number 15 was retired by the team in 1992. This means no other Knicks player will ever wear that number again. It's a special way to remember his contributions. Interestingly, his number 15 had been retired for another great player, Earl Monroe, six years earlier.
In 1993, Dick McGuire was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. This is one of the highest honors a basketball player can receive. He was also inducted into the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame on Long Island in 1994. These honors show how much he was respected in the world of basketball.
