Hall of Fame coach Cervi dies at age 92
Posted Nov 10 2009 1:13PM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) -- Al Cervi (SUR'-vee), a pro basketball star who coached the Syracuse Nationals to the 1955 NBA championship, has died in upstate New York at age 92.
The 5-foot-11-inch Cervi was one of the strongest backcourt players of the 1940s and 1950s. Nicknamed "Digger," he was the 1947 National Basketball League scoring champion and MVP as a guard for the Rochester Royals.
He became a player-coach for the Syracuse Nationals in 1948, continuing in that role after the team joined the NBA. He retired as a player in 1953 but coached the Nats until 1957.
He was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1985.
A Buffalo native, Cervi died at a hospice in Rochester on Monday.
The Anthony Funeral Chapel in Brighton, N.Y., says he is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ruth; a son; two daughters; and four grandchildren.
- 2010 All-Star Ballot
- 2009-10 Season Preview
- Free Agent Tracker
- 2009 Playoffs
- 2009 NBA Draft
- twitter.com / NBA
- NBA on Facebook
- Transactions
- 2009 Awards
- Officiating & Rules
- 2009 All-Star
- Coach bios
- Hoopedia
 | Ask Chuck: Do You Cry? Al Horford joins the Barkley Zone and asks Charles, "Does he cry during romantic movies?" |
 | Monta Ellis: Postgame The Warriors Monta Ellis talks after his big game against the Trail Blazers. |
 | The Daily Zap Get your fill of NBA action as we zip you around the league in the NBA.com Daily Zap. |
 | Friday's Top 10 Take a look at the best plays from a busy night around the NBA. |
 | Haier Play of the Day Josh Smith sinks the game-winner with a put-back dunk off the Mike Bibby miss. |
 | Nightly Notable LeBron James drops 40 points along with nine rebounds and seven assists in against the Pacers. |
 | Steal of the Night James Harden picks off the pass, goes behind the back and finishes on the other end. |
 | Block of the Night Dwight Howard comes from behind to put the big swat on Rajon Rondo's lay-up. |
 | Dunk of the Night Anthony Randolph comes flying through the lane with a two-handed monster jam. |
 | Assist of the Night Jason Kidd makes an amazing no-look, behind the back bounce pass to Jason Terry for the dunk. |
NBA.com is part of the Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network