Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here is the information about Dave DeBusschere:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: David Albert DeBusschere
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Deceased (born October 16, 1940 – died May 14, 2003, aged 62)
  • Hometown: Detroit, Michigan
  • Height: 6’6″ (1.98 m)
  • Weight: 220 lbs (100 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 7 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 14 (US)
  • Number: Wore #22 during his career
  • Position: Power Forward / Small Forward
  • High School: Austin Catholic High School, Detroit, Michigan
  • College: University of Detroit (now University of Detroit Mercy)
  • NBA Draft: 1962, 1st Round, 4th pick overall by the Detroit Pistons
  • Teams Played For: Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks
  • Championship Rings: 2 (1970, 1973 with the New York Knicks)
  • Kids: Yes, he had three children: Peter, Dennis, and Michelle
  • Siblings: Not publicly documented

Player Archetype / Play Style

Dave DeBusschere’s player archetype was that of a rugged two-way power forward, the kind of frontcourt piece who could anchor winning basketball with rebounding, defense, and dependable secondary scoring. Defensively, he operated as a stopper and interior helper, bringing strength, toughness, and disciplined positioning that helped make him a six-time All-Defensive First Team selection, while offensively he filled the role of a complementary scorer who could finish inside, clean up possessions on the glass, and keep pressure on teams without needing the ball all the time. At 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, DeBusschere was undersized for a traditional big but strong enough to battle larger forwards and centers, and his overall play style was physical, unselfish, and winning-focused, built on muscle, rebounding prowess, and hard-nosed team defense rather than flashy creation. (NBA)

Sources:

The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame — Hall of Famers
NBA.com — Legends profile: Dave DeBusschere
NBA.com — Archive 75: Dave DeBusschere
Basketball-Reference — Dave DeBusschere Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
Basketball-Reference — All-Defensive Selections by Player