Basketball Great Gabor Passes Away
6/5/2019 11:23:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Gabor, the first 1,000-point career scorer in Syracuse men's basketball history, was one of the program's early marquee players. He went on to play professionally with the Syracuse Nationals and won an NBA championship during his tenture.
Prior to his passing, he was believed to be the oldest living former NBA player at age 97.
"Billy Gabor stands as one of the all-time greats in the history of the Syracuse University men's basketball program," said John Wildhack, Syracuse University Director of Athletics. "His time with the University included serving in World War ll as a member of the United State Army Air Corps. When he returned to school he became our program's first 1,000-point career scorer. He went on to earn a spot on the Syracuse University All-Century Team that was selected in 2000. His jersey is one of 14 the University has retired. On behalf of Syracuse University Athletics, we send our thoughts and prayers to the family of Billy Gabor."Â
Gabor, who wore number 17, was a fixture in the Syracuse lineup during the 1942-43, 1945-46, 1946-47 and 1947-48 seasons. He missed two seasons while serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. Gabor was the first SU player to tally 400 season points when he scored 409 in 1946-47. He also was the first to score 1,000 career points, finishing with 1,344. Gabor set what was then the school record for game points, scoring 36
Gabor officially had his jersey retired in a ceremony at halftime of the Syracuse vs. Cincinnati game on March 1, 2009. At the time, he was the ninth Syracuse performer to receive the recognition.
