Dick Schnittker
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Schnittker, circa 1950 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 27, 1928 Kelleys Island, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | January 12, 2020 (aged 91) Green Valley, Arizona, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Listed weight | 200 lb (91 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Sandusky (Sandusky, Ohio) |
| College | Ohio State (1946–1950) |
| NBA draft | 1950: 1st round, 4th overall pick |
| Drafted by | Washington Capitols |
| Playing career | 1950–1958 |
| Position | Power forward |
| Number | 22, 24, 15 |
| Career history | |
| 1950–1952 | Washington Capitols |
| 1953–1958 | Minneapolis Lakers |
| Career highlights | |
| |
| Career statistics | |
| Points | 3,028 (8.3 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 1,372 (3.8 rpg) |
| Assists | 480 (1.3 apg) |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
| Stats at Basketball Reference | |
Richard Dean Schnittker (May 27, 1928 – January 12, 2020) was an American professional basketball player born in Kelleys Island, Ohio.
A 6'5" power forward from the Ohio State University, Schnittker played six seasons (1950–1951; 1953–1958) in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Washington Capitols and Minneapolis Lakers. He averaged 8.3 points per game and won championships with the Lakers in 1953 and 1954. Schnittker's debut for the Lakers in the 1952–53 season occurred during the playoffs. He was the first player to see action in the Finals after not playing a game during the preceding regular season, a feat later equalled by Tom Hoover in 1966 and Tracy McGrady in 2013.[1]
In college Schnittker also played end on the Ohio State football team during the 1949 season. After starting end Sonny Gandee went down with a season-ending neck injury, coach Wes Fesler recruited Schnittker to take Gandee's place. Schnittker helped the team to a Big Ten championship and Rose Bowl appearance. He died on January 12, 2020, at the age of 91.[2]
