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Dean Meminger
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Dean Peter "the Dream" Meminger (May 13, 1948 – August 23, 2013) was an American basketball player and coach.[1] He played college basketball for Marquette where he was the NIT MVP in 1970 and a Consensus first-team All-American in 1971. He later played professionally in the NBA for six seasons, winning the NBA championship with the New York Knicks in 1973. Following his playing career, Meminger went into coaching and in 1980 he led the New York Stars to the WBL championship.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Meminger was born in Walterboro, South Carolina, and came to Harlem, New York, with his family as a seventh-grader. He starred at Rice High School in New York City as well as making a name for himself on the playgrounds at West 135th Street.[2]
College career
[edit]Meminger attended Marquette University, where he played for coach Al McGuire with the then-Warriors. He helped Marquette win the 1970 National Invitational Tournament. Marquette's 1970 team was ranked 8th in the country and was invited to the NCAA tournament. Following a dispute whether to play in the Mid-East or Mid-West Regional, Marquette declined the bid and opted to play in the NIT, where the team outclassed the field. The NCAA was so incensed by Marquette, it instituted a rule that forced an NCAA Division I team to accept an NCAA bid over an NIT bid. A subsequent antitrust case brought by the NIT against the NCAA over this issue was later settled out of court. Meminger was also the MVP of the 1970 National Invitation Tournament, in which Marquette beat Pete Maravich and LSU 101–79 in the semi-finals before defeating St. John's 65–53 in the title game. During his varsity career, he never lost a home game.
NBA career
[edit]Meminger was drafted in the first round (16th overall) of the 1971 NBA draft by the New York Knicks, with whom he played from 1971 to 1974 and 1976-1977.[3] As a rookie reserve guard in 1971–72, Meminger averaged 4.6 points in 15 minutes per game, followed by 5.7 points in 18 minutes per game in 1972–73. In that season, Meminger helped the Knicks win their second-ever NBA championship. Playing on a team which featured star guards Walt Frazier, Earl Monroe and Dick Barnett, in Game 7 of the 1973 Eastern Conference finals he replaced Monroe in the second quarter, frustrated the hot-shooting Boston Celtics guard Jo Jo White and scored 13 points. After knocking the Celtics out of the playoffs, the Knicks beat the Los Angeles Lakers for the title.[4] In the postseason, Meminger played in all 17 games for the Knicks, making 31 of 56 field goal attempts for a team-leading .554 percentage.[5]
In Meminger's third season of 1973–74, his playing time increased to 26.7 minutes per game as he averaged 8.3 points and 3.6 rebounds per game (both career highs) and 2.1 assists.
In 1974–75, Meminger played for the Atlanta Hawks, averaging career highs of 27.2 minutes, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game in addition to 7.9 points per game.[5] In 1975–76 with the Hawks, his fifth NBA season, in just over 20 minutes per game he averaged 6.0 points and 3.3 assists per game.[5]
The 1976–77 season was his sixth and final NBA season as he returned to the Knicks and averaged 7.9 minutes per game.
Coaching career
[edit]Meminger was hired as the head coach of the New York Stars in the Women's Professional Basketball League (WBL) in June 1979.[6][7][8] Meminger, with rookie trainer Rick Capistran at his side, guided the Stars to the league championship during the 1979–80 season and was named the league's coach of the year. The team's great success, however, was not enough to save the Stars, which lost so much money the team folded without being able to repeat as champions.[7] Meminger was coaxed to head west, leaving Capistran behind, when he signed up to coach the San Francisco Pioneers in what would be the league's final season.
In 1982, Meminger was hired to coach the Albany Patroons in the Continental Basketball Association. He was dismissed for his combative style with his players and replaced by his former Knicks teammate and friend Phil Jackson. Meminger convinced Jackson to let him try out for the team, but he was unable to resurrect his career on the court.[7]
Meminger next coached the USBL's Long Island Knights in 1987, coaching the likes of Micheal Ray Richardson, Steve Burtt and Geoff Huston, an experience that according to him "almost sent me to the cuckoo's nest".[9]
After spending most of the next 14 years working as a consultant at schools like Hunter College and Hostos Community College, he was hired as the head coach of Manhattanville College in New York in October 2003.[10] He resigned from his post for personal reasons in November 2004 after leading the Valiants to an 18–10 record.[11]
Personal life
[edit]Meminger's son goes by the same name and is a news reporter and anchor for NY1 News.[12]
On November 22, 2009, Meminger was rescued from a fire in the Bronx in New York City. Suffering from smoke inhalation, he was admitted to the burn unit of Jacobi Medical Center.[13] Meminger recovered and would remain active in local basketball events. He and trainer Rick Capistran reconnected after 30 years when Capistran tracked his old coach down after reading about Meminger's brush with death in the fire.
Meminger had battled drug addiction for decades and was living in Baltimore, Maryland. He was in Harlem to receive a community award[14] when he was found dead in his room at the Casablanca Hotel in Harlem on August 23, 2013.[15][16]
Career statistics
[edit]| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
| † | Won an NBA championship | * | Led the league |
NBA
[edit]Source[5]
Regular season
[edit]| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971–72 | New York | 78 | 3 | 15.0 | .474 | .564 | 2.4 | 1.3 | 4.6 | ||
| 1972–73† | New York | 80 | 8 | 18.2 | .515 | .628 | 2.9 | 1.7 | 5.7 | ||
| 1973–74 | New York | 78 | 50 | 26.7 | .508 | .644 | 3.6 | 2.1 | .8 | .1 | 8.3 |
| 1974–75 | Atlanta | 80 | 27.2 | .466 | .639 | 2.7 | 5.0 | 1.5 | .1 | 7.9 | |
| 1975–76 | Atlanta | 68 | 20.9 | .409 | .658 | 2.2 | 3.3 | .8 | .1 | 6.0 | |
| 1976–77 | New York | 32 | 0 | 7.9 | .417 | .565 | .8 | .9 | .3 | .0 | 1.3 |
| Career | 416 | 61 | 20.6 | .475 | .627 | 2.6 | 2.5 | .9 | .1 | 6.1 | |
Playoffs
[edit]| Year | Team | GP | MPG | FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | New York | 16* | 17.3 | .421 | .630 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 4.1 | ||
| 1973† | New York | 17* | 19.0 | .554 | .559 | 2.2 | 2.2 | 4.8 | ||
| 1974 | New York | 12 | 14.9 | .344 | .200 | 2.0 | 2.1 | .3 | .0 | 1.9 |
| Career | 45 | 17.3 | .455 | .561 | 2.3 | 1.8 | .3 | .0 | 3.8 | |
References
[edit]- ^ "Dean (The Dream) Meminger, star of '73 Knicks, is dead at 65". New York Daily News.
- ^ Goldstein, Richard (August 23, 2013), "Dean Meminger, Who Helped Knicks to a Title, Dies at 65", The New York Times
- ^ NBA Black History month interview Archived 2012-11-08 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Goldstein, Richard (August 23, 2013). "Dean Meminger, Who Helped Knicks to a Title, Dies at 65". The New York Times.
- ^ a b c d "Dean Meminger NBA Stats". Basketball Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
- ^ Don Markus (July 1, 1979). "Meminger's new role is an old one". Newsday. p. 8 (sports). Retrieved October 15, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c Wise, Mike (December 25, 2003). "PRO BASKETBALL; How Dean Meminger Turned His Life Around". The New York Times.
- ^ Women's Professional Basketball League
- ^ The Daily News article: "Meminger featured in The Daily News" Archived 2006-11-08 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Paul Suwan (November 22, 2003). "Valiants now Dream's team". The Journal News. p. 8C. Retrieved October 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Meminger resigns as men's coach at Manhattanville". The Journal News. November 5, 2004. p. 1C. Retrieved October 16, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Dean Meminger staff profile Archived 2009-01-01 at the Wayback Machine at NY1.com
- ^ Dean Meminger Critical After Suspected Crack-Pipe Fire
- ^ Berman, Marc (August 24, 2013). "Earl Monroe mourns former Knicks teammate Dean Meminger". New York Post.
- ^ "Knicks great Meminger found dead of possible overdose -- with championship ring still on finger". NY Post. August 23, 2013. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
- ^ Richard Goldstein (August 23, 2013). "Dean Meminger, Who Helped Knicks to a Title, Dies at 65". New York Times. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
External links
[edit]- My Life by Dean Meminger at the Wayback Machine (archived June 3, 2004)
- NBA statistics @ basketballreference.com
- Mad Season: The Story of the First Women's Professional Basketball League, 1978-1981 by Karra Porter
Dean Meminger
View on GrokipediaEarly Life and Education
Childhood and Family Background
Dean Meminger was born on May 13, 1948, in Walterboro, a small rural town in Colleton County, South Carolina.[5][6] As a seventh-grader, around the age of 12 or 13, Meminger relocated with his family from Walterboro to Harlem in New York City, seeking improved prospects in the urban environment.[5][7] The family settled in the Delano Village housing project on West 139th Street, where Meminger lived with his parents and at least one sister during his early years in the city.[8] The transition from rural South Carolina to the bustling streets of Harlem marked a significant shift for Meminger, immersing him in a vibrant urban community that would shape his formative experiences.[5]High School Basketball Career
Dean Meminger attended Rice High School in Harlem, New York, where he quickly emerged as a standout basketball talent in the competitive Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA).[3] Following his family's relocation from South Carolina to New York, which provided access to the city's vibrant basketball scene, Meminger honed his skills under coach Mike Browne, becoming known for his exceptional speed, tenacious defense, and scoring ability.[5] His elusive playing style earned him the nickname "The Dream" during his high school years.[3] As a sophomore in 1965, Meminger earned All-City honors, marking the start of his rapid ascent in New York City's storied high school basketball landscape.[9] He repeated as an All-City selection for three straight years, a rare feat that highlighted his dominance as a guard.[9] Meminger's contributions were pivotal in key rivalries within the CHSAA, including intense matchups against other top programs that showcased the city's emerging talents.[10] In his senior year of 1967, Meminger led Rice to the CHSAA championship and a mythical national title, solidifying his legacy as one of the program's all-time greats.[3] Over his high school career, he amassed 1,296 points, becoming only the second player in New York City history to earn first-team All-City honors multiple times.[10] His performances drew widespread recruitment interest from colleges, ultimately leading him to commit to Marquette University under coach Al McGuire.[3]Collegiate Career
Time at Marquette University
Dean Meminger enrolled at Marquette University in 1967 and played on the freshman team during the 1967-68 season before transitioning to the varsity squad the following year under head coach Al McGuire.[11][12] As a 6-foot guard known for his quickness on the court, Meminger quickly became a key contributor, serving as the team's primary ball-handler and leading scorer during his junior and senior seasons.[13][14] In his sophomore varsity season of 1968-69, Meminger averaged 16.4 points per game as Marquette posted a 24-5 record, marking the start of the program's ascent.[13][15] The 1969-70 campaign saw him elevate his scoring to 18.8 points per game while the Warriors advanced to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), finishing the year with a 26-3 overall mark.[13][16] During his senior year in 1970-71, Meminger led the team with 21.2 points per game, guiding the team to a 28-1 overall record including an undefeated 26-0 regular season and a second-round appearance in the NCAA Tournament, helping sustain an undefeated streak at the Milwaukee Arena that extended across his three varsity seasons, culminating in a 46-0 home record.[13][12] Over these three years, Marquette compiled an impressive 78-9 overall record, establishing the Warriors as a dominant force in college basketball.[12][17] Meminger's playing style emphasized tenacious defense, explosive quickness, and on-court leadership, allowing him to disrupt opponents while facilitating the team's fast-paced offense.[5][14] His peers recognized this impact by selecting him as the team's Most Valuable Player.[12] These qualities were instrumental in elevating Marquette to national contender status in the early 1970s, transforming the program into a consistent winner under McGuire's guidance.[17][12]College Awards and Achievements
During his junior season in 1970, Dean Meminger was named the Most Valuable Player of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), leading Marquette to the program's first NIT championship with a 65-53 victory over St. John's in the final.[18] He also earned a spot on the NIT All-Tournament Team for his standout contributions, as the team's leading scorer at 18.8 points per game that season en route to the title.[12] As a senior in 1971, Meminger received Consensus First-Team All-American honors, recognizing his elite performance and leadership on the court.[19] That year, his teammates voted him the team's Most Valuable Player, capping a career in which he served as Marquette's leading scorer for two seasons, averaging 21.2 points per game as a senior.[12] In recognition of his overall impact at Marquette, Meminger was inducted into the Marquette M Club Hall of Fame in 1988.[12]Professional Playing Career
NBA Draft and New York Knicks
Meminger was selected by the New York Knicks with the 16th overall pick in the first round of the 1971 NBA Draft, following a standout collegiate career at Marquette University that included consensus All-American honors.[20][1] As a rookie during the 1971-72 season, Meminger served primarily as a backup guard behind stars like Walt Frazier and Earl Monroe, appearing in 78 games while averaging 15.0 minutes, 4.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game.[1] His role focused on learning the professional game and providing defensive energy off the bench under coach Red Holzman, who valued Meminger's quickness and tenacity honed on Harlem playgrounds.[5] In his second season (1972-73), Meminger's playing time increased to 18.2 minutes per game across 80 appearances, where he contributed 5.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, solidifying his position as a reliable sixth man known for his slashing drives and smothering perimeter defense.[1][3] Meminger's peak with the Knicks came during the 1973-74 season, when he averaged career highs of 26.7 minutes, 8.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 78 games, emerging as a defensive specialist who disrupted opponents' offenses.[1] His contributions were pivotal in the Knicks' path to their second NBA championship in 1973, particularly in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics, where he was named co-MVP of the series after averaging 7.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists over seven games.[3] In Game 7 of that series, Meminger delivered a signature performance with 13 points on 4-of-8 shooting and 5-of-6 free throws in 36 minutes, while effectively containing Boston's Jo Jo White to help secure a 94-78 victory.[5] During the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, which the Knicks won 4-1, Meminger played a reserve role in five games, averaging 15.4 minutes, 1.0 point, 1.0 rebound, and 1.4 assists, providing crucial defensive support in the team's balanced rotation during their triumphant two-title era.[1] Meminger remained with the Knicks through the 1973-74 season, contributing to the team's defensive identity before being traded to the Atlanta Hawks in May 1974.[21]Atlanta Hawks and Career End
In May 1974, Meminger was traded from the New Orleans Jazz to the Atlanta Hawks as part of a blockbuster deal that sent Pete Maravich to New Orleans, along with forward Bob Kauffman and future draft picks.[1] He played two seasons with the Hawks, appearing in 148 regular-season games as a reserve guard.[1] During the 1974–75 season, Meminger averaged 7.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while logging a career-high 27.2 minutes off the bench, contributing to the team's defensive efforts with his quickness and tenacity honed during his championship tenure with the Knicks.[1] His scoring declined to 6.0 points per game in 1975–76 amid contract disputes and limited playing time in 68 games, though he continued to provide solid perimeter defense.[1][22] Meminger returned to the New York Knicks for the 1976–77 season, playing in 32 games before being waived in June 1977 at age 29, marking the end of his seven-year NBA career after 416 regular-season games across the Knicks and Hawks.[1] Following retirement, he pursued coaching opportunities, including roles in emerging professional leagues that reflected his early interest in transitioning to the sidelines.[23]NBA Career Statistics
Dean Meminger played in 416 regular-season games over six NBA seasons from 1971 to 1977, compiling career averages of 6.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game while shooting 48.2% from the field and 65.8% from the free-throw line.[1] His overall totals included 2,552 points, 1,086 rebounds, and 1,046 assists, underscoring his role as a reliable reserve contributor rather than a primary scorer.[1] In the playoffs, Meminger appeared in 45 games across three postseasons (1972, 1973, and 1974) exclusively with the New York Knicks, averaging 3.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game with a 44.3% field goal percentage.[1] These efforts supported the Knicks' 1973 NBA championship, where his defensive contributions as a perimeter specialist were integral to the team's success despite limited offensive output.[1] Meminger's statistical profile highlights his evolution from a defensive-minded bench guard with the Knicks—where his scoring peaked at 8.3 points per game in 1973-74 amid increased minutes—to a more facilitative role with the Atlanta Hawks, where he averaged 5.0 assists per game in 1974-75.[1] His modest per-game numbers reflect a emphasis on team defense and versatility over individual scoring, aligning with his 6-foot-0 frame and reputation for hustle.[1]Regular Season Statistics
| Season | Team | GP | MPG | FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971-72 | NYK | 78 | 15.0 | .474 | .564 | 2.4 | 1.3 | 4.6 |
| 1972-73 | NYK | 80 | 18.2 | .515 | .628 | 2.9 | 1.7 | 5.7 |
| 1973-74 | NYK | 78 | 26.7 | .508 | .644 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 8.3 |
| 1974-75 | ATL | 80 | 27.2 | .466 | .639 | 2.7 | 5.0 | 7.9 |
| 1975-76 | ATL | 68 | 20.9 | .409 | .658 | 2.2 | 3.3 | 6.0 |
| 1976-77 | NYK | 32 | 7.9 | .417 | .565 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.3 |
| Career | 416 | 20.6 | .482 | .658 | 2.6 | 2.5 | 6.1 |
Playoff Statistics
| Season | Team | GP | MPG | FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | NYK | 16 | 17.3 | .421 | .630 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 4.1 |
| 1973 | NYK | 17 | 19.0 | .554 | .559 | 2.2 | 2.2 | 4.8 |
| 1974 | NYK | 12 | 14.9 | .344 | .200 | 2.0 | 2.1 | 1.9 |
| Career | 45 | 17.3 | .443 | .561 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 3.8 |
