NEW YORK – Former Syracuse Nationals and 76ers legend Dolph Schayes, 87, died Thursday morning, six months after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Schayes scored 18,438 points and grabbed 11,256 rebounds during his 16-year career with the Syracuse/Sixers franchise.
The Nationals moved to Philadelphia and changed their name to the Sixers before Schayes’ final season, 1963-64. The Hall of Fame player spent that season as player-coach before staying on board to coach the next two seasons.
"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," Sixers CEO Scott O'Neil said in a statement.