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Pat Cummings (July 11, 1956 – June 26, 2012[1]) was an American professional basketball player.

Key Information

A 6-foot-9 forward with an accurate shooting touch, Cummings spent the most productive stretch of his 12-year career with the New York Knicks and the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA), averaging better than 12 points and eight rebounds for four straight seasons.

High school career

[edit]

The son of Charles and Dolores (Gresik) Cummings, he scored 1,136 career points for Greater Johnstown High School of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He led the team to a pair of District 6 Class A championships, including a 25–1 record his senior year. He earned first-team all-state honors.[2][3]

Cummings set a school single-game scoring record with 50 points while averaging 24.3 points per game and 12 rebounds as a senior.[4]

College career

[edit]

Cummings committed to attend the University of Cincinnati, coached by Gale Catlett. Cummings still holds the Bearcats' single-season field goal percentage record (.642 in 1977–78) and his career mark of .581 is second to Kenyon Martin. He is second all-time in field goals made (756) behind Oscar Robertson. In 1978–79, he averaged 24.6 points per game, fifth-highest in Bearcats' history, while also averaging a team-leading 11.3 rebounds and .823 free throw percentage. His career point total of 1,762 was second all-time to Robertson, and that total currently ranks fifth.[5]

At UC, Cummings' teams went 23–6 (1974–75), 25–6 (1975–76), 17–10 (1977–78), and 13–14 (1978–79). He did not play in 1976–77 due to a broken leg. He earned All-Metro Conference first team and was the Bearcats' MVP in 1977–78 and 1978–79. He was awarded the 1978–79 Metro Conference Player of the Year. Cummings was inducted into the James P. Kelly UC Athletics Hall of Fame in 1990.[5]

NBA career

[edit]

Milwaukee Bucks

[edit]

Cummings was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks as a junior-eligible in 1978 (the year Boston Celtics used the same rule to draft Larry Bird). After playing out his senior season, Cummings came to the Bucks in 1979. He saw his first NBA action in the Bucks' second game, a 125–96 win over the Denver Nuggets in which he scored four points, followed by eight points in the Bucks' next game, a 131–107 win over the Utah Jazz. He did shine at times, with a then career-high 25 points on February 26, 1980, against the Los Angeles Clippers, then 30 in the third-to-last game of the season against the Denver Nuggets.[6]

Over the next three seasons, he saw limited action in a front court that included Bob Lanier, Dave Meyers, Marques Johnson, Kent Benson, and Harvey Catchings. Nevertheless, Cummings shot over 50 percent from the floor and over 70 percent from the free throw line and averaged more than six points each year.[7] On March 9, 1981, he tied his career single-game best of 30 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers.[8]

Dallas Mavericks

[edit]

In 1982 the two-year-old Dallas Mavericks acquired him for a pair of draft choices. Cummings became the Mavs' starting center and averaged 12.5 points and 8.2 rebounds with 20 or more points in 10 games.[9] After putting up similar numbers the following season, including 12 games of 20 or more points, plus back-to-back 16-point games in the playoffs against the Seattle SuperSonics,[10]

New York Knicks

[edit]

Cummings signed with New York as a free agent.[7] In 1984–85 with the Knicks, Cummings notched the best scoring average of his career, 15.8 points per game. He not only had 23 games of 20+ points, he scored a career-high 32 points on January 28, 1985, against the Clippers, followed two nights later by a new career-high of 34 against the Phoenix Suns.[11]

In 1985–86, he finally succumbed to the foot problems that had been nagging him for years. After averaging 15.7 points and 9.0 rebounds in 31 games, including tying his career-high 34 points on November 22, 1985, against the Washington Bullets, Cummings bowed out for the season and had surgery to remove bone spurs from his right ankle.[7][12] Cummings never quite returned to form. He spent two more seasons with the Knicks, sharing time in the front court with Bill Cartwright and Patrick Ewing.

Miami Heat

[edit]

Cummings signing as a free agent with the expansion Miami Heat in 1988. He started in the Heat's first-ever game, and spent most of his two years in Miami as a backup to Rony Seikaly. On Dec. 14, 1988, Cummings scored 15 points to help lead the Heat past the Los Angeles Clippers, 89–88, for their first victory, after they opened the season with a then-N.B.A. record 17 consecutive losses.[13] Cummings was waived late in the 1989–90 campaign.

Italy/Utah Jazz

[edit]

After playing professionally in Italy in 1990–91, he played a four-game stint with the Utah Jazz in 1990–91. Cummings was waived and out of the NBA at age 34.

Career statistics

[edit]
Legend
  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

NBA

[edit]

Source[7]

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1979–80 Milwaukee 71 12.7 .505 – .764 3.4 0.7 0.3 0.2 6.6
1980–81 Milwaukee 74 14.6 .539 .000 .707 3.9 0.8 0.4 0.3 8.0
1981–82 Milwaukee 78 7 14.5 .509 .000 .736 3.1 1.3 0.3 0.1 6.5
1982–83 Dallas 81 71 28.6 .493 .000 .755 8.2 1.8 0.7 0.4 12.5
1983–84 Dallas 80 80 31.2 .494 .000 .742 8.2 2.0 0.8 0.3 13.1
1984–85 New York 63 63 32.8 .514 .000 .780 8.2 1.7 0.8 0.3 15.8
1985–86 New York 31 30 32.5 .478 .000 .698 9.0 1.5 0.9 0.4 15.7
1986–87 New York 49 11 21.6 .450 – .718 6.4 0.8 0.5 0.1 8.6
1987–88 New York 62 9 15.3 .456 .000 .738 3.8 0.6 0.3 0.2 5.5
1988–89 Miami 53 28 20.7 .500 .000 .742 5.3 0.9 0.5 0.3 8.8
1989–90 Miami 37 1 10.6 .484 – .568 2.5 0.4 0.3 0.1 4.7
1990–91 Utah 4 0 6.5 .667 – .700 1.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.8
Career 683 300 21.3 .497 .000 .737 5.6 1.2 0.5 0.3 9.6

Playoffs

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1980 Milwaukee 6 9.5 .647 – .833 2.7 0.3 0.2 0.0 4.5
1981 Milwaukee 5 5.0 .273 – .750 1.2 0.0 0.2 0.0 1.8
1982 Milwaukee 6 7.3 .364 – .500 1.8 0.3 0.0 0.3 1.5
1984 Dallas 10 30.0 .409 – .933 7.2 1.5 0.4 0.2 10.8
1988 New York 3 0 9.3 .400 – .750 2.3 1.0 0.0 0.0 2.3
Career 30 0 15.1 .421 – .839 3.7 0.7 0.2 0.1 5.3

After basketball

[edit]

Cummings had resided in Loveland, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati, earned his real estate license and spent several years in the real estate business.

He died of a heart attack in his Greenwich Village, New York City apartment on June 26, 2012.[13][14] He was preceded in death by his father and his brother, Charles Jr., and was survived by his mother and his brother, Michael. He was interred at Grandview Cemetery in Johnstown.[15]

In a 2016 interview, Cummings' former teammate Bernard King remarked "We've lost a lot of guys over the last couple of years. Moses Malone, Darryl Dawkins, Jerome Kersey and before that Pat Cummings, just to name a few. And a lot of these guys have died of heart attacks. So I think it's great that the league, the players association and the retired players association are joining forces to try and figure out why that is and what we can do to adequately provide for everyone."[16]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Pat Cummings

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Pat Cummings (July 11, 1956 – June 26, 2012) was an American professional player who spent 12 seasons in the (NBA) as a 6-foot-9-inch and center, known for his rugged playing style and accurate shooting touch. Born in , Cummings excelled at Johnstown High School before starring at the , where he earned All-American honors as a senior in 1979 after leading the Bearcats to a 13–14 record and averaging 24.5 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. Selected by the in the third round (59th overall pick) of the , Cummings debuted in the league during the 1979–80 season and went on to play for five teams: the Bucks (1979–1982), (1982–1984), (1984–1988), (1988–1990), and (1990–1991). Over 683 regular-season games, he compiled career totals of 6,529 points (9.6 points per game), 3,825 rebounds (5.6 per game), and 807 assists (1.2 per game), while appearing in 30 playoff games across five postseasons. His most productive years came with the Knicks, where he averaged 13.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per game over four seasons, contributing to the team's playoff runs in 1985 and 1988. Cummings, who stood 6 feet 9 inches tall and weighed 230 pounds, was remembered for his on the and versatility as a scorer and rebounder in an era dominated by tough frontcourts. After retiring from the NBA following the 1990–91 season, he remained connected to through coaching and community work until his death from a heart attack in his apartment at age 55.

Early life and education

Early life in Johnstown

Patrick Michael Cummings was born on July 11, 1956, in , to parents and Dolores (Gresik) Cummings. He grew up in a working-class family in the industrial city, alongside siblings including brothers Jr. and Michael. Johnstown's blue-collar environment, shaped by its steel mills and tight-knit community, provided the backdrop for Cummings' early years. The city had a vibrant local sports culture, with playground serving as a key outlet for youth recreation and competition. Cummings spent much of his childhood honing his skills on the Coopersdale s, playing pickup games with peers who were often a year or two older, which instilled a strong from an early age. Beyond , Cummings showed interest in during his youth, participating in local games before quitting the sport in 10th grade to focus entirely on hoops. These early experiences in Johnstown's community-driven sports scene laid the foundation for his development, leading naturally into organized play as he entered high school.

High school career

Pat Cummings attended Greater Johnstown High School in , where he emerged as a dominant force in during the early 1970s. As a junior, Cummings contributed significantly to the Trojans' impressive 25-1 record, showcasing his scoring and rebounding prowess on the court. In his senior year of 1973-74, he led the team with 608 points and an average of 13 rebounds per game, helping Greater Johnstown finish 20-5 while earning first-team all-state recognition. One of his standout performances came in a playoff game against Penn Hills, where he scored 50 points, and he also achieved a similar high against Windber during the regular season. Over his entire high school tenure, Cummings amassed more than 1,000 points, solidifying his reputation as a versatile 6-foot-9 forward. Cummings' exceptional play drew statewide attention, culminating in his selection to the prestigious Dapper Dan , an all-star showcase for Pennsylvania's top high school talents. This honor underscored his status as one of the premier prospects in the region, attracting interest from major college programs. Upon graduating in 1974, Cummings decided to continue his journey at the , where he would further develop under coach .

College career

University of Cincinnati

Pat Cummings enrolled at the in 1974, joining the Bearcats team as a 6-foot-9, 230-pound forward fresh out of Johnstown High School in . As a in the 1974–75 season, he appeared in 18 games, averaging 13.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game while shooting 58.4% from the field, contributing to a strong 23–6 team record as an independent program that advanced to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet Sixteen. In his sophomore year of 1975–76, Cummings played all 31 games in the Bearcats' inaugural season, posting 11.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game at 56.0% field goal accuracy, helping the team achieve a 25–6 overall mark and a second-place conference finish at 2–1 before another NCAA Tournament appearance. Cummings sat out the 1976–77 season due to a broken leg but returned as a junior in 1977–78 to become a starter, elevating his production to 18.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per game on an impressive 64.2% field goal percentage across 27 games. The Bearcats finished 17–10 overall and 6–6 in conference play, placing fourth in the Metro standings. By his senior season in 1978–79, Cummings had evolved into the team's dominant interior presence and primary scoring option, leading the Metro Conference in both points (661 total) and rebounds (304 total) while averaging 24.5 points and 11.3 rebounds per game in 27 outings at 55.1% from the field; the team ended 13–14 overall amid a challenging year. Over his four active seasons, Cummings amassed 1,762 points—ranking second in history at the time (currently sixth)—along with 851 rebounds and a school-record 58.1% career , establishing him as a cornerstone of the Bearcats' frontcourt during the mid-to-late . His progression from a promising raw talent to a versatile, efficient scorer and rebounder was pivotal to the team's successes, including back-to-back Metro Conference tournament championships in 1976 and 1977, though the Bearcats did not advance to the NCAA Tournament in his final two years. Notable performances included multiple 30-point games in his senior year, such as a 32-point, 15-rebound effort against Memphis State, underscoring his impact in high-stakes matchups.

Awards and honors

During his time at the , Pat Cummings earned several notable athletic accolades that highlighted his dominance as a . As a junior in the 1977–78 season, he was selected to the First-team All-Metro Conference, recognizing his contributions to the Bearcats' performance in the league. He also received the team's MVP award that year for his leadership and statistical output. In his senior season of 1978–79, Cummings repeated as a First-team All-Metro Conference selection and was named the Metro Conference Player of the Year, honors that underscored his exceptional scoring and rebounding prowess, averaging 24.6 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. Additionally, he earned All-American recognition from the Citizens Savings Foundation, one of several national nods for his play. These achievements included team MVP honors for the second consecutive year. His senior-year performance elevated his career totals to 1,762 points, ranking second in UC history at the time (currently sixth), establishing him as one of the program's most productive big men. Cummings graduated with a in 1979, balancing his athletic success with academic completion. These college honors, particularly his conference dominance, contributed to his professional transition; although initially drafted in the third round (59th overall) by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1978 after his junior year, his senior accolades affirmed his NBA potential, leading to a 12-year career.

Professional basketball career

Milwaukee Bucks (1979–1982)

Pat Cummings was selected by the in the third round, 15th pick (59th overall), of the following a standout college career at the , where he earned All-American honors as a senior. He signed a multi-year contract with the team on August 1, 1978, but did not debut until the 1979-80 season after spending time developing his professional skills. As a 6-foot-9 and , Cummings provided depth in the frontcourt behind established veterans, contributing to a Bucks squad that emphasized rebounding and defensive intensity under coach . In his 1979-80 season, Cummings adjusted to the NBA's physicality and pace, appearing in 71 games primarily off the bench and averaging 6.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.2 blocks per game while shooting 50.5% from the field. His role focused on providing energy on the glass and interior defense, helping the Bucks secure the Midwest Division title with a 49-33 record and advance to the Western Conference Semifinals, where they fell to the in seven games. Key teammates included All-Star guards and , along with forwards and center , whose presence allowed Cummings to learn professional fundamentals in a winning environment. Cummings showed progression in the 1980-81 season, boosting his production to 8.0 points and 3.9 rebounds per game across 74 appearances, with improved efficiency at 53.9% field goal shooting and 0.3 blocks per game, underscoring his growing impact on rebounding and rim protection. The Bucks again dominated the division at 60-22, reaching the Eastern Conference Semifinals before a seven-game loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, during which Cummings contributed sparingly but effectively in limited minutes. By the 1981-82 campaign, he maintained steady contributions with 6.5 points and 3.1 rebounds in 78 games, focusing on defensive versatility alongside the same core group of Moncrief, Johnson, and Lanier; the team finished 55-27 and once more exited in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the 76ers, this time in six games. Following the 1981-82 season, the Bucks traded Cummings to the on June 29, 1982, in exchange for the Mavericks' second-round pick (27th overall) in that year's draft, which Milwaukee used to select . This move opened opportunities for Cummings in an expansion franchise seeking frontcourt depth.

Dallas Mavericks (1982–1984)

Pat Cummings was acquired by the from the Milwaukee Bucks on June 28, 1982, in exchange for the Mavericks' second-round pick in the , which the Bucks used to select . Building on his foundational experience with the Bucks, Cummings assumed a prominent starting role as a and for the young expansion franchise, which had entered the NBA just two seasons prior in 1980–81, emphasizing his rebounding prowess and efficient scoring inside the paint. In his first season with Dallas during 1982–83, Cummings played in 81 games, averaging 12.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 51.2% from the field. He achieved a career-high 20 rebounds in a single game on March 2, 1983, during a 108–105 home victory over the Seattle SuperSonics. The following year, 1983–84, he appeared in 80 games, boosting his scoring to 13.1 points per game alongside 8.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists, maintaining strong efficiency at 49.9% field goal shooting. His consistent double-digit rebounding contributions anchored the Mavericks' frontcourt amid their rapid development. Under Cummings' steady presence, the Mavericks showed marked growth as an , securing their first playoff berth in 1982–83 with a 38–44 record before falling 3–1 to the in the first round. They advanced further in 1983–84, finishing 43–39 to claim the fourth seed in the Western Conference, defeating the 3–1 in the first round before losing 4–3 to the Lakers in the conference semifinals. Following the 1983–84 season, Cummings became a , and on June 28, 1984, he signed a four-year offer sheet with the worth more than $2 million. The Mavericks declined to match the offer on July 12, 1984, allowing Cummings to depart for New York and paving the way for Dallas to pursue other frontcourt options.

New York Knicks (1984–1988)

Pat Cummings joined the New York Knicks as a free agent in the summer of 1984, signing an offer sheet that the Dallas Mavericks declined to match, allowing him to depart after two seasons in Texas. Positioned as a versatile 6-foot-9 power forward and center, Cummings bolstered the Knicks' frontcourt alongside scoring star Bernard King and established big man Bill Cartwright, providing rugged defensive presence and rebounding tenacity that carried over from his Dallas tenure. In his debut 1984–85 season, Cummings achieved career highs in scoring and rebounding, averaging 15.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game across 63 appearances while shooting 51.4 percent from the field. He showcased his offensive versatility with standout performances, including a career-best 34 points and 10 rebounds in a , 1985, loss to the , and 28 points against the on October 26, 1985. The Knicks finished 52–30 that year but fell in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs to the , where Cummings contributed modestly off the bench. Cummings' second season in 1985–86 was marred by a season-ending injury, limiting him to 31 games but still yielding strong per-game outputs of 15.7 points and 9.0 rebounds. The Knicks' frontcourt was decimated by multiple injuries that year, including to King, Cartwright, and rookie , forcing Cummings into a heavier load before his own setback; New York limped to a 23–59 record and missed the playoffs. By 1986–87, with Ewing established as the cornerstone, Cummings' role diminished to 8.6 points and 6.4 rebounds in 49 games, though he remained a reliable presence. The 1987–88 campaign saw further reduction in playing time, with Cummings averaging 5.5 points and 3.8 rebounds over 62 games as a reserve. However, he provided key contributions in the Knicks' first-round Eastern Conference playoff series against the Boston Celtics, appearing in three games and scoring five crucial points in the closing minutes of Game 3 to help secure a 109–100 upset victory, though New York ultimately lost the series 3–1. Following the season, the Knicks released Cummings on August 1, 1988, ending his four-year stint in New York.

Miami Heat, Italy, and Utah Jazz (1988–1990)

After being released by the New York Knicks following the 1987–88 season, Cummings signed as a free agent with the expansion Miami Heat prior to the 1988–89 NBA season. In his first year with Miami, the 32-year-old forward appeared in 53 games, starting 28, and averaged 8.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while shooting 50.0% from the field. His role diminished in the 1989–90 season amid increased competition and the effects of age, as he played in 37 games off the bench, averaging 4.7 points and 2.5 rebounds in 10.6 minutes per game. Released by the in the summer of 1990, Cummings moved overseas to play for Ranger in Italy's during the early part of the 1990–91 season. With , he averaged 12.7 points and 9.8 rebounds per game through November 1990, providing veteran scoring and rebounding before being released by the team approximately a month later. Cummings returned to the NBA in December 1990, signing a short-term contract with the after they waived forward Chris Munk. At age 34, he appeared in just four games for during the 1990–91 season, averaging 3.8 points in limited minutes, marking the end of his 12-year NBA career. The decline in his playing time reflected the physical toll of his rugged style and advancing age, leading to his retirement from professional after the season.

Career statistics

NBA regular season and playoffs

Pat Cummings played 12 seasons in the NBA from 1979 to 1991, appearing in 683 regular-season games and accumulating 6,529 points for a career average of 9.6 points per game, alongside 3,825 rebounds (5.6 per game), 807 assists (1.2 per game), 360 steals, and 171 blocks. His career field goal percentage stood at 49.7%, with an effective field goal percentage of 49.7% and true shooting percentage of 55.1%, reflecting efficient interior scoring as a power forward and center. Cummings averaged 21.3 minutes per game across 14,542 total minutes, posting a player efficiency rating (PER) of 13.2, offensive rating of 102.6, and defensive rating of 106.5. The following table summarizes his regular-season per-game averages by year and team:
SeasonTeamGMPFGFGAFG%FT%PTSTRBAST
1979-80MIL7112.72.65.2.505.7646.63.40.7
1980-81MIL7414.63.25.9.539.7078.03.90.8
1981-82MIL7814.52.85.5.509.7366.53.11.3
1982-83DAL8128.65.310.8.493.75512.58.21.8
1983-84DAL8031.25.711.5.494.74213.18.22.0
1984-85NYK6332.86.312.2.514.78015.88.21.7
1985-86NYK3132.56.313.2.478.69815.79.01.5
1986-87NYK4921.63.68.0.450.7188.66.40.8
1987-88NYK6215.32.35.0.456.7385.53.80.6
1988-89MIA5320.73.67.2.500.7428.85.30.9
1989-90MIA3710.62.04.1.484.5684.72.50.4
1990-91UTA46.51.52.3.667.7003.81.30.0
Career68321.33.77.6.497.7379.65.61.2
Cummings' scoring output of 9.6 was on par with the league average for power forwards in the , which ranged from approximately 9.6 to 10.0 for players logging significant minutes. Cummings appeared in the five times, playing 30 games and totaling 160 points (5.3 per game), 112 rebounds (3.7 per game), and 22 assists (0.7 per game), with a of 42.9% and free-throw percentage of 83.9%. His most notable postseason contributions came in 1983-84 with the , where he averaged 12.6 points and 7.6 rebounds over five games in the Western Conference First Round victory against the , followed by 9.0 points and 6.8 rebounds in five games during the Western Conference Semifinals loss to the . The following table summarizes his playoff per-game averages by year and team:
SeasonTeamGMPFGFGAFG%FT%PTSTRBAST
1979-80MIL69.51.82.8.647.8334.52.70.3
1980-81MIL55.00.62.2.273.7501.81.20.0
1981-82MIL67.30.71.8.364.5001.51.80.3
1983-841030.04.711.5.409.93310.87.21.5
1987-88NYK39.30.71.7.400.7502.32.31.0
Career3015.12.96.8.429.8395.33.70.7

College statistics

During his four seasons at the from 1974 to 1979, Pat Cummings established himself as a dominant force in the paint, amassing career totals of 1,762 points, 851 rebounds, and a of .581 across 103 . His scoring efficiency and rebounding prowess highlighted his interior dominance, with a career of .605 that underscored his ability to convert opportunities near the basket effectively. The following table summarizes Cummings' per-game statistics by season:
SeasonGamesPointsReboundsFG%
1974–751813.97.3.584
1975–763111.76.8.560
1977–782718.07.6.642
1978–792724.511.3.551
Career10317.18.3.581
Cummings' performance showed marked improvement in his junior and senior years, particularly in the , where he led the league in points (661 total) and rebounds (304 total) during the 1978–79 season, averaging 24.5 points and 11.3 rebounds per game overall that year—rankings that placed him 15th nationally in both categories. These conference splits were notable for his elevated scoring efficiency inside, contrasting with slightly lower non-conference outputs but still reflecting his role as the Bearcats' primary interior threat. At the time of his graduation, Cummings ranked as the No. 2 all-time scorer in history with his 1,762 points, a mark that currently stands eighth on the program's list. He also held the school's career record at .581, which he established through consistent post play, but the single-season record of .642 from 1977–78 has since been surpassed. Advanced metrics from the era, such as his .605 , further illustrate how his statistics captured a dominant interior presence, emphasizing high-percentage shots and rebounding control that anchored 's frontcourt.

Later life and legacy

Post-retirement activities

Following his brief stint with the in the 1990–91 season, Pat Cummings retired from professional in the early 1990s. Cummings resided in an apartment in , , where he led a relatively private life away from the spotlight of his playing days. Despite his low profile, he remained connected to the basketball community through occasional participation in informal games at and other outdoor courts in , where he was remembered for his gentlemanly demeanor and unassuming presence even years after leaving the NBA.

Death and tributes

Pat Cummings died on June 26, 2012, at the age of 55, from a heart attack in a friend's apartment in , . His girlfriend discovered him unconscious on a pullout couch in the apartment that afternoon, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities confirmed no foul play was suspected, and though preliminary results were inconclusive, his mother, Delores Cummings, reported it as apparent from her home in . Tributes poured in from the basketball community following his death. The organization remembered Cummings for his contributions during his four seasons with the team in the 1980s, where he provided a strong presence in the frontcourt alongside players like and . Former assistant coach , who worked with Cummings on the inaugural 1988-89 Heat roster, praised his dedication, noting that "he showed up every day and he worked" despite a lively off-court personality. At the , where Cummings starred as an All-American, Mick Cronin expressed condolences, calling him "a great shooter and [one who] made a big impact as one of the best players in the history of our program." Media coverage highlighted Cummings' rugged playing style and lasting influence. The New York Times obituary described him as a "rugged N.B.A. forward" whose physicality bolstered teams like the Knicks, emphasizing his accurate shooting touch from beyond the arc for a power forward of his era. Columnist Peter Vecsey recalled Cummings as a "gentleman Knick" who played with respect and enthusiasm, particularly during pickup games at Rucker Park, where he prioritized teamwork over aggression. In his hometown of , Cummings' passing resonated deeply within the local basketball community. Former high school coach Paul Litwalk and teammate Jack Buchan lauded his exceptional work ethic and skill. His remains were returned to Johnstown for burial at Grandview Cemetery, though no public or service details were reported. Reflections on his legacy often centered on his love for the game, evident in his consistent effort across 12 NBA seasons and post-career participation in informal games that kept him connected to basketball's spirit.

References

  1. https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/cummipa01.html
  2. https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/29/sports/basketball/pat-cummings-rugged-nba-forward-dies-at-55.html
  3. https://gobearcats.com/pat-cummings
  4. https://ccshof.org/member/pat-cummings/
  5. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/pat-cummings-1.html
  6. https://www.landofbasketball.com/nba_players_stats/pat_cummings_tot.htm
  7. https://www.proballers.com/basketball/player/5416/pat-cummings
  8. https://magazine.uc.edu/editors_picks/obits/pat_cummins.html
  9. https://obituaries.tribdem.com/obituary/patrick-cummings-752798061
  10. https://www.goerie.com/story/sports/nba/2016/09/08/sports-connections-johnstown-high-grad/25180497007/
  11. https://www.facebook.com/GJSDNews/posts/pat-cummings-jhs-class-of-1974-the-former-trojan-basketball-standout-has-passed-/413900941985050/
  12. https://www.tribdem.com/sports/sports-connections-johnstown-high-grad-pat-cummings-stood-tall-at-cincinnati-in-the-nba/article_8321985a-7547-11e6-b0db-a7c22145ea8e.html
  13. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/cincinnati/men/1975.html
  14. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/cincinnati/men/1978.html
  15. https://gobearcats.com/history-of-cincinnati-basketball
  16. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/pat-cummings-1/gamelog/
  17. https://basketball.eurobasket.com/player/Pat-Cummings/654107
  18. https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Pat-Cummings/Summary/49509
  19. https://www.nba.com/bucks/features/mb-130516
  20. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIL/1980.html
  21. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIL/1981.html
  22. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIL/1982.html
  23. https://www.nba.com/bucks/history/significant-transactions
  24. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DAL/1982_transactions.html
  25. https://www.nytimes.com/1984/06/28/sports/knicks-bid-for-pat-cummings.html
  26. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DAL/1983.html
  27. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/07/12/The-Dallas-Mavericks-said-Thursday-they-will-not-match/3138458452800/
  28. https://www.nytimes.com/1984/09/28/sports/cartwright-injury-a-problem.html
  29. https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198510260NYK.html
  30. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-04-06-sp-25155-story.html
  31. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/03/28/Thursday-night-saw-more-of-the-same-in-the/5451512370000/
  32. https://www.nytimes.com/1988/05/05/sports/it-s-never-say-die-for-knicks-devils-playoffs-celtics-are-sunk-free-throws.html
  33. https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1988-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-knicks-vs-celtics.html
  34. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/1989_transactions.html
  35. https://www.deseret.com/1990/12/16/18896505/jazz-cut-munk-sign-veteran-pat-cummings
  36. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/cincinnati/men/leaders-and-records.html
  37. https://nypost.com/2012/07/01/remembering-gentleman-knick-who-balled-at-rucker/
  38. https://nypost.com/2012/06/27/pat-cummings-ex-knick-dead/
  39. https://www.tribdem.com/news/local_news/local-basketball-great-pat-cummings-dies/article_d428dd92-7cbc-5909-aedb-529b1d12a374.html
  40. https://archive.nytimes.com/offthedribble.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/28/former-knicks-big-man-cummings-dead-at-55/
  41. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/92655117/pat-cummings
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