In 1964, Dave DeBusschere became the youngest coach in NBA history. After a disappointing 2-9 season start the Detroit Pistons fired head coach Charley Wolf and named DeBusschere as his successor. The Pistons were coming off a poor 23-57 season. During his first game as player-coach, DeBusschere scored 26 points and helped the Pistons defeat the Baltimore Bullets 119-117. Under his guidance, the Pistons improved marginally, going 31-49 in the 1964-65 season. DeBusschere spent three seasons as player-coach and had a 79-143 record. He continued his NBA career with the New York Knicks and was down for his tough defensive skills. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983 and named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA history. He made the NBA’s 75th Anniversary All-Time team and his no. 22 jersey was retired by the new York Knicks.Â
