The Youngest Member in the 1960 Olympic Gold Medal Winning Us Basketball Team Dies at 82

After the Olympic Basketball games in 1948, 1952, and 1956, the results had remained consistent. Team USA won the first 3 gold medals in Olympic Basketball. To continue this run in the Olympics of 1960, the committee chose a very young talent in the squad who went on to be a key part of that gold-winning US team.  At just 19 years of age, the Indiana youngster got a chance to play for his national team and bring home the gold medal. Two years later, he would join the NBA and pursue a Chemical Engineering degree during his rookie season.

“It wasn’t that tough of a year because I received my degree, the rookie of the year award, and was paid to play the game I loved,” Terry Dischinger recalled. The basketball community mourns this legend today as he passed away at the age of 82.

Hall of Famer Terry Dischinger dies at 82

According to Terry’s son, Bill Dischinger, his father was battling with Alzheimer’s disease, and it ultimately became the cause of his death. Now, that he rests in peace, there are only memories and achievements to talk about. However, the legend will always be respected because of what he did for his country and how exceptional of a player he was. 

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Averaging 26.3 points per game in a sophomore season is something extraordinary for a basketball player. A 6-foot-7 tall small forward, Terry Dischinger, was already proving his worth during his stint with Purdue University.

This extraordinary performance from Bill is the reason why he was picked up for the USA Olympic team so early. For the national team, he averaged 11.8 points per game. This contribution added to the Olympic team USA clinching the gold medal in the yearbook of 1960. 

In 2019, Terry joined the esteemed ranks of the College Basketball Hall of Fame. A decade prior, he was enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame along with his entire 1960 Olympics Team. However, Dischinger recalled the 1960 Olympics for a very specific reason.

“It was a fairy tale because I played with my idol, Oscar Robertson,” the Detroit Pistons legend admitted.

Terry’s post-Olympics career

Dischinger, after performing in the Olympics, had a big stage set for him. All he had to do was to deliver and he delivered well.

During the NBA draft of 1962, the Chicago Zephyrs picked Dischinger up. In this year, his average is 25.5 points per game where he only played 57 games in the 62–63 season. Starting as a rookie and averaging that many points is still a very big thing in the realms of the NBA. His Team, Chicago Zephyrs, took a transformation and is now called as Washington Wizards.

Terry Dischinger earned the Rookie of the Year award in 1962 and became a 3x All-Star during his 11-season career. He is remembered by his 3 children and 9 grandchildren. 

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