JERSEYS IN THE RAFTERS: Dick Dickey

Dick Dickey was the first real superstar to wear the NC State Red-and-White. Recruited from Indiana by Everett Case, Dickey was one of the pioneers of the college game and helped put NC State basketball on the map as a 3-time All-American.  Only three other players in NC State history have accomplished that feat.  He is the only player in NC State history to earn All-Conference honors all four years, and he also led the Wolfpack to four straight Southern Conference Championships (The ACC was formed in 1953).  The Pack has been to the Final Four on three separate occasions. Most NC State fans are familiar with the last two Final Fours, however, the trip in 1950 is not as well documented. In 1950, NC State was led by their marvelous scoring and nationally recognized star Dick Dickey. Although the Pack did not take home the trophy, Dickey was named to the 1950 NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team, and they won in the consolation game finishing 3rd in the nation. This capped an extremely successful and consistent career, scoring 1,644 points (13.4 ppg) and led the Wolfpack to an overall record of 107-22.

Oh yeah, Dickey ranks 5th in NC State history in free-throws made, and that over half of them were made granny style (462 of 710).

And that cutting down the nets tradition…

Dickey was a part of the 1947 NC State team that cut down the nets after winning the Southern Conference Championship.  In Indiana, where his Wolfpack head coach Everett Case was also from, high school basketball champions cut the nets down.  This Indiana tradition became, a Wolfpack tradition, and is now a nationwide tradition.

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.