The man who wrote the ‘100’ on a piece of paper for Wilt Chamberlain to hold up after he scored 100 points in a game, a man who’s been in the NBA the first season of the league and a man who’s been the most important NBA statistician, has unfortunately passed away. Harvey ‘Super Stat’ Pollack has died at the age of 93.
Following from the Philadelphia 76ers.
It is with great sadness that the Philadelphia 76ers announce Harvey Pollack, Sixers Director of Statistical Information and the longest tenured NBA employee, passed away today at the age of 93.
The last original employee of the NBA’s inaugural season to still be working in the league, Pollack was globally renowned as the engineer of modern-day basketball statistics. Pollack was a Northeast Philadelphia native and lifelong area resident, and the patriarch of two children, Linda Gottfried and Ron Pollack, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the passing of a true NBA legend, Harvey Pollack,” said Philadelphia 76ers Chief Executive Officer Scott O’Neil. “He may never have laced up his sneakers, but few have done more to advance the game, in the NBA or Philadelphia basketball, than Harvey. He did what he loved until the end, and shared that love of statistics and basketball with his family, who we remember at this difficult time. We count ourselves incredibly lucky to have had his wealth of knowledge, indomitable spirit, passionate drive and love for our sport with us here in Philadelphia and with the Sixers for so many years. He will be missed while his legacy will endure.”
Our deepest condolences go out to the Pollack family, the Philadelphia 76ers and the entire NBA family for this tragic loss of a person who personified the NBA.
