Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here is the detailed information about Dick McGuire, a former NBA player, coach, and Hall of Famer:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Richard Joseph McGuire
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born on January 26, 1926 (passed away on February 3, 2010, at the age of 84)
  • Hometown: The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 0 inches (183 cm)
  • Weight: 180 pounds (82 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 1 inch
  • Shoe Size: Size 11 (US)
  • Number: Wore jersey numbers 15 and 21
  • Position: Point Guard
  • High School: St. John’s Preparatory School in Brooklyn, New York
  • College: St. John’s University (1943–1944, 1946–1949)
  • NBA Draft: Selected in the 1st round (7th overall pick) in the 1949 BAA Draft by the New York Knicks
  • Teams Played For:
    • New York Knicks (1949–1957)
    • Detroit Pistons (1957–1960)
  • Championship Rings: None as a player; appeared in three NBA Finals with the New York Knicks
  • Kids: Not publicly available
  • Siblings: Al McGuire (younger brother, also a Hall of Famer and legendary basketball coach)

Player Archetype / Play Style

Dick McGuire’s player archetype was that of a pass-first floor general, a clever lead guard who controlled tempo, created openings, and made teammates better before looking for his own shot. Defensively, he was more of an anticipatory backcourt organizer than a bruising stopper, relying on court sense, positioning, and pressure ball handling rather than size. Offensively, his role centered on running the team, probing the defense, and delivering sharp setup passes, which fit his reputation as a “playmaker of the highest caliber” and one of the premier guards of his era. At 6 feet tall, McGuire lacked overpowering physical size, but he compensated with excellent vision, tight ball control, and a crafty feel for passing lanes. His play style was smooth, heady, and unselfish, built around dribbling, penetration, and table-setting instincts that helped drive the early Knicks to three straight NBA Finals. (The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame)

Sources:

Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame — Dick McGuire
Los Angeles Times — Dick McGuire dies at 84; Hall of Famer spent decades with the Knicks
St. John’s University Athletics — St. John’s And New York Knicks Legend Dick McGuire Passes Away