Thursday, June 25, 2009

Jerseys In the Rafters: Dick Dickey (1947-1950)


Many NC State fans are well versed in the history of the University and it's basketball program. On the other hand, there are also a large number of fans that have never heard all the stories or know all the players who helped build the storied history of NC State. Throughout the off-season we will be highlighting each and every player that had a big enough impact to have their jersey hung in the rafters of the RBC Center. Without further ado, we'd like to introduce... "Jerseys in the Rafters."

Let's start off with a few questions for all you NC State Basketball historians out there.




Who was...

- the only 4-time All-Conference selection in NC State history?

-the first NC State Basketball player to be drafted to the NBA?

- the 8th leading scorer in school history?


If you answered all three questions with "Dick Dickey", you'd be correct. When talking NC State Basketball history, many will throw out names like Thompson, Monroe, Corchiani, but few mention the accolade-laden Dickey. Dick, born in Alexandria, Indiana, was the first real superstar to wear the red and white. Recruited by Everett Case, Dickey was one of the pioneers of the college game and helped put NC State basketball on the map by being named to the National All-American team 3 different times, one of only 3 Wolfpackers to ever accomplish such a feat. The Pack has been to the Final Four on three separate occasions. Most of us are well versed in the previous two Final Fours, however, the trip in 1950 is not as well documented. In 1950, NC State was led by the marvelous scoring and nationally recognized star, Dick Dickey. Although the Pack did not take home the trophy that season, Dickey was named to the 1950 NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team. This capped an extremely successful and extremely consistent career in which he scored 1,644 points and led the Wolfpack to an overall record of 107-82.



After college, Dickey was drafted by the Baltimore Bullets, making him the first player from NC State to ever play in the NBA. He ended up as a journeyman, playing for the Anderson Packers(NBL) before moving on to the Boston Celtics. In 2005, Dickey was inducted into the college basketball hall of fame and also voted one of the top 5 players to ever play at NC State University, and having the privilege of getting his "Jersey in the Rafters."



Dick Dickey passed away in 2006. He was 79.

comments

8 Responses to "Jerseys In the Rafters: Dick Dickey (1947-1950)"
  1. Jedi Master said...
    June 25, 2009 at 9:44 AM

    Dickey was the original "Hoosier Hotshot" and guys like Monte Towe, Julius Mays, and Scott Wood are following in the tradition he started.

  2. Anonymous said...
    June 25, 2009 at 10:01 AM

    Great story idea and am looking forward to learning more about the jerseys in the rafters.

  3. primacyone said...
    June 25, 2009 at 11:48 AM

    Yes. Really good story idea. I'm ready for us to hang another jersey in the rafters.

  4. Dennis said...
    June 25, 2009 at 1:00 PM

    I know this is premature since this is the 1st "Jerseys in Rafters" article (and you may be planning this already), but I think it'd be nice if you put a link at the top of the page (like where are they now) so fans can look at all of the articles as you add more and more.

  5. Wolfpack Hoops said...
    June 25, 2009 at 1:24 PM

    ^that'll be up next week for sure.

  6. redfred said...
    June 25, 2009 at 7:01 PM

    Just wondering, but what year was Dickey's jersey hung in the rafters?

  7. Mr. Duprey said...
    June 25, 2009 at 10:02 PM

    A big part of adding Vic Molodet was that the lure of here is another Hoosier in Dickey that was changing the landscape of college basketball with Case down in Tobacco country.

    Fast forward to the De Matha pipeline of Kenny Carr, Hawkeye Whitney, Derrick Whittenburg and of course of fearless head coach.

    Add to the mix that I read in a book by Tim Peeler that Dickey pushed Norm Sloan to take a good look at 5' 7" Monte Towe from Indiana and you begin to see that NC State has a habit of making the most of the fortunate hot beads they tap into.

    Well the Hoosier well is not dried up in any sense of the word and my guess is that Julius and Scott are going to make a push to remembered as two of the best team leaders ever for this storied program.

    And oh yeah, there is that whole tapping into a new pipeline of talent thing and lets finally give props to the fine job Coach Lowe and Coach Harris did reeling in McD's AA and Cav's 1st round pick JJ Hickson- AAU teamate of Zo, Richard Howell. Amid all this action of laying a recruiting back yard in ATL we also get hip first to the fastest rising player in the soon to be SR year class in Ryan Harrow.

    See, these black and white photos shouldn't mislead the young folks here too much that the game has changed that much. In college basketball it's still 10' to the top of the rim and it will always require getting the best to beat the best. Sid GET'S it. We are out there signing big league talent using methods tried n' true going back to the Grey Fox himself.

  8. redfred said...
    June 26, 2009 at 4:34 PM

    If you type "dick dickey nc state" in the google browser bar there is a great link about five spaces down. It talks about DD, of course, Vic Modolet, and gives some good insight into Everett Case's competitive desire, and the struggles that it cost him and NC State University. Don't know why but I couldn't paste the link for some reason.

 

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