Harvey Pollack, NBA’s Longest Tenured Employee, Dead at 93

Harvey Pollack, a beloved member of the NBA family, passed away Tuesday at the age of 93.

Pollack, who began working for the League in its inaugural season of 1946, created modern-day hoops statistics and was still working as the Philadelphia Sixers’ Director of Statistical Information.

He is survived by two children, Linda Gottfried and Ron Pollack, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

From the press release:

“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 the following statement Tuesday: “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. After six and half seasons, Pollack was promoted to head of media relations. […] On March 2, 1962, Philadelphia Warriors center Wilt Chamberlain set the NBA single-game scoring record with 100 points in a victory over the New York Knicks. Harvey Pollack was a rare eyewitness of this historic feat. The legendary postgame photo of Chamberlain was made possible by Pollack, who scribbled the iconic “100” on a white piece of paper.