Legendary NBA and Sixers Statistician Harvey Pollack Dies

Longtime Sixers employee and NBA statistician Harvey Pollack passed away Tuesday evening.

Pollack started with the NBA when it was born in 1946 and has been there ever since and was the last remaining employee to do so.

Pollack was probably best known for his quick thinking scribbling the number 100 on a piece of paper for Wilt Chamberlain to pose with after scoring a record 100 points in a game in Hershey, PA in 1962.

Pollack has also been praised for the advanced statistics and record keeping he started, in which many advanced analytical users will tell you he was the trailblazer for.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver released a statement on Tuesday night following the news:

“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.”

Pollack spent his whole career with the Sixers organization, including a stint with the Philadelphia Warriors in their media relations department.

Former Warriors player and legend Alvin Attles also released a statement on the passing of Pollack:

"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."

Earlier this year, Pollack was hospitalized after being seriously injured in an auto accident, he was said to be recovered from those injuries.

Pollack was enshrined by the The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002 and was awarded the John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award.

Pollack was 93.