Joe Ruklick
Joseph Ruklick (/ˈrʌklɪk/ RUCK-lik[1]; born August 3, 1938) is a retired American professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The 6'9", 220 lb, center-forward is an alumnus of Princeton High School and Northwestern University.[2]
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 3, 1938 Princeton, Illinois |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
| Listed weight | 220 lb (100 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Princeton (Princeton, Illinois) |
| College | Northwestern (1956–1959) |
| NBA draft | 1959 / Round: 2 / Pick: 9th overall |
| Selected by the Philadelphia Warriors | |
| Playing career | 1959–1962 |
| Position | Power forward / Center |
| Number | 17 |
| Career history | |
| 1959–1962 | Philadelphia Warriors |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Career NBA statistics | |
| Points | 398 (3.5 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 286 (2.5 rpg) |
| Assists | 48 (0.4 apg) |
| Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
He is known for giving the final assist to legendary Philadelphia Warriors teammate Wilt Chamberlain in his 100 point game, with a pass in the final minute of the game.[3]
Ruklick also guarded Chamberlain in his (Chamberlain's) first collegiate game. Wilt managed 52 points (still a Kansas single-game record) and 31 rebounds (also a Kansas single-game Record). After Wilt's 100 point performance Ruklick quipped "I held him to 52."
After his NBA career, Ruklick worked in investment banking. He received a graduate degree from the Northwestern Medill School of Journalism at the age of 50 and worked at newspapers including The Chicago Defender.[4]
References
- "wilt chamberlain speech by Joe Ruklick". Retrieved 13 May 2020.
- Joe Ruklick, Basketball-Reference.com. Accessed November 1, 2007.
- Berkow, Ira. "PRO BASKETBALL; A Footnote To History After 40 Years", The New York Times, July 2, 2002. Accessed November 1, 2007. "Ruklick's contribution to the record? He threw the pass to Chamberlain with 46 seconds left in the game for the basket that resulted in the 99th and 100th points."
- Ryan, Shannon. "Former Northwestern basketball great Joe Ruklick part of basketball history". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 24 November 2018.