Harry Gallatin
(1927-2015)
Hall of Fame Induction: 1991
Card Shown:
2011-12 Panini Gold Standard
Marks of the Hall
Position: F/C
Height: 6’6″
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Harry Gallatin, nicknamed “The Horse” for his rugged play and his iron-man durability, once held the NBA record for consecutive games played with 682. Gallatin loved the game of basketball and was known for practicing just as hard as he played in games. Harry never missed a game or a practice in his career. He played nine seasons for the New York Knicks before playing the final year of his career with the Detroit Pistons. Gallatin was known as a top rebounder and fierce competitor. He finished his NBA career with averages of 13.3 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. Interviewed near the time of his induction into the Hall of Fame, Harry said that he thought that fans would remember him as a hustler who went after every rebound, and a hard worker who always tried his best and tried to do what is right.
Awards and Honors
- In his nine-year NBA career, Gallatin was selected as an NBA All-Star seven consecutive times from 1950-51 through 1956-57.
- Harry led the NBA in rebounding in 1953-54, averaging 15.4 rebounds per game. He finished in the top 10 in rebounding six times during his career.
- Gallatin helped lead the New York Knicks to the NBA Finals three years in a row from 1951-1953. Joining him on those Knicks teams were Nat Clifton, Dick McGuire, and Max Zaslofsky. In 1951, they lost the finals in seven games to a Rochester Royals team featuring Arnie Risen, Bob Davies, Bobby Wanzer, and Ed Mikan. In 1952, the Knicks again lost the finals in seven games to a Minneapolis Lakers team starring George Mikan, Jim Pollard, Slater Martin, and Vern Mikkelsen. In 1953, the Knicks lost to the same Lakers team in five games. Hall of Fame player Joe Lapchick was the coach of the Knicks all three years.
- Harry was presented to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in Springfield by Ed Macauley. He has been honored by ten different Halls of Fame.
- Gallatin won NBA Coach of the Year in 1962-63 with the St. Louis Hawks. Players on that team included Bob Pettit, Lenny Wilkens, Zelmo Beaty, and Cliff Hagan.
Points of Interest
- Gallatin attended college at Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (now Truman State University) where he led the basketball team to a 59-4 record and two appearances in the NAIA tournament.
- When Harry was a rookie the New York Knicks were a part of the Basketball Association of America (BAA). The BAA merged with the National Basketball League (NBL) to form the NBA before the 1949-50 season.
- In 1953, Gallatin set a Knicks record by grabbing 33 rebounds in a single game.
- After his playing career ended, Harry spent years coaching the game he loved. He coached at Southern Illinois University Carbondale from 1958-1962 (79-36 record), parts of three seasons with the St. Louis Hawks from 1962-1964 (111-82), parts of two seasons with the New York Knicks in 1965 (25-38), and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for three seasons.
- Harry also served as the Athletic Director at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and was the golf coach there for 24 years. His golf teams made 18 NCAA Division II championship appearances under his leadership.
- Gallatin was also a talented baseball player. He spent two off-seasons as a minor-league pitcher in the Chicago Cubs organization.
- Harry earned $4,500 per season when he joined the Knicks and had a maximum salary during his career of $13,500. He told the New York Times, “I think the difference between modern players and the pioneers is that we probably would have played for nothing. Of course, we didn’t tell the owners that.”
Statistics
Harry Gallatin Statistics
provided by Basketball-Reference.com