Harvey Pollack, the Philadelphia 76ers’ director of statistical information and the longest-tenured NBA employee, died at the age of 93 Tuesday.
Pollack was the last original employee of the NBA’s inaugural season of 1946-47 who still was working in the league.
Pollack, a native of northeast Philadelphia, was known as the engineer of modern-day basketball statistics. He is credited with beginning the league’s official tracking of offensive and defensive rebounds, steals, turnovers, blocked shots and minutes played, among other statistics.
“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.”
NBA commissioner Adam Silver issued a statement, which read: “There has never been an NBA without Harvey Pollack, who has been part of the NBA family since he was tracking statistics for the Philadelphia Warriors during the league’s inaugural season.
He documented NBA history for nearly 70 years with passion, curiosity and a relentless work ethic. Harvey has been a true caretaker and ambassador of the game, and he will be sorely missed. The entire NBA family sends its deepest condolences to the Pollack family as well as the Philadelphia 76ers organization.”
In 1946, Pollack began his career with the Philadelphia Warriors of the Basketball Association of America, which later merged with the National Basketball League to form the National Basketball Association, as the team’s assistant publicity director. He was later promoted to head of media relations.
In 2002, The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame awarded Pollack the John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award. It is the highest honor bestowed to an individual outside of enshrinement.
The Harvey Pollack NBA Statistical Yearbook included such topics as:
–Little-Known First Names of Nicknamed Players and Coaches
–Most Three Second Violations
–Most Tattoos by Team and Individual Leaders
–Leaders in Delay of Game Violations
–Most Minutes Played without a Turnover
Al Attles, who played for the Philadelphia Warriors and was later head coach of the Golden State Warriors issued a statement, which read: “I am greatly saddened to hear the news of Harvey Pollack’s passing. He was an incredible and passionate man who will be remembered as one of the true icons and treasures in NBA history. Harvey was a key contributor to — and documenter of — many of our franchise’s most historical moments during our years in Philadelphia, including my rookie season, when he scribbled the number ‘100’ on the infamous piece of paper the night Wilt hit the century mark. As the league’s statistical guru for decades, Harvey was clearly ahead of his time in statistical analysis and provided years of great service to the Warriors, 76ers and the league. On behalf of the entire Warriors organization, our condolences go out to Harvey’s family and all those who loved him dearly.”
Pollack’s legacy is carried on by his son Ron, who has been a fixture on the Sixers stats crew for more than 50 seasons.