 Brisker with theToledo Rockets,c. 1967 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1947-06-15)June 15, 1947 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Disappeared | April 11, 1978 (aged 30) Uganda |
| Status | Declared dead May 29, 1985(1985-05-29) (aged 37) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Listed weight | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Hamtramck (Hamtramck, Michigan) |
| College | Toledo (1966–1968) |
| NBA draft | 1969: Supplemental round |
| Selected by thePhiladelphia 76ers | |
| Playing career | 1969–1975 |
| Position | Forward /guard |
| Number | 23, 45, 40, 42 |
| Career history | |
| 1969–1972 | Pittsburgh Pipers/Condors |
| 1972–1975 | Seattle SuperSonics |
| 1974 | →Cherry Hill Rookies |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Career ABA and NBA statistics | |
| Points | 6,847 (20.7 ppg) |
| Rebounds | 2,152 (6.5 rpg) |
| Assists | 787 (2.4 apg) |
Stats at NBA.com  | |
| Stats atBasketball Reference | |
John Brisker (June 15, 1947 –declared dead May 29, 1985) was an American professionalbasketball player whodisappeared on April 11, 1978, after allegedly visiting Uganda. He playedcollege basketball for theToledo Rockets until he left the team during his senior season in 1968. Brisker began his professional career with thePittsburgh Pipers / Condors of theAmerican Basketball Association (ABA) where he was a two-time ABA All-Star and had a reputation as one of the league's premier tough guys. He played for theSeattle SuperSonics of theNational Basketball Association (NBA) from 1972 to 1975.
Brisker allegedly travelled to Uganda in 1978 where he disappeared after last making contact with his girlfriend on April 11, 1978. He was declared dead on May 29, 1985, to settle his estate but his final movements are unknown and his death was doubted by theState Department.
Brisker was a 6′5″forward/guard who played for theToledo Rockets basketball team of theUniversity of Toledo. He was selected as a supplemental draft pick in the1969 NBA draft by thePhiladelphia 76ers.[1] Brisker played six seasons in theABA andNBA as a member of thePittsburgh Pipers (1969–1970),Pittsburgh Condors (1970–1972) andSeattle SuperSonics (1972–1975). He averaged 20.7 points per game over the course of his ABA/NBA career (26.1 points per game in the ABA, and 11.9 points per game in the NBA).
Brisker developed a reputation as one of the most volatile players in basketball. According to his Condors teammateCharlie Williams, "He was an excellent player, but say something wrong to the guy and you had this feeling he would reach into his bag, take out a gun and shoot you."[2] He was ejected so often for fighting that he was nicknamed "the heavyweight champion of the ABA." The Condors made much of Brisker's reputation as an enforcer; their media guide portrayed him wearing a pair of six-shooters. InLoose Balls,Tom Nissalke related a story about how hisDallas Chaparrals wanted to break a nine-game losing streak: he offered $500 to whoever decked Brisker.Lenny Chappell suggested he should start the game against Pittsburgh. Chappell was allowed to start the game and on the jump ball, he proceeded to knock Brisker out to the floor and even managed to avoid being called for a foul.[3]
In a 1971 game against theDenver Rockets, Brisker was ejected two minutes into the game for an elbow on the Rockets'Art Becker. Brisker charged back onto the court three times in order to go after Becker. A group of police officers threatened to arrest Brisker and finally persuaded him to return to the locker room.[4]
In February 1974, Brisker was assigned by the Seattle SuperSonics to theCherry Hill Rookies of theEastern Basketball Association.[5] He scored 51 points in his debut and then 58 points in his second game.[5] Brisker had scored 29 points in his third game when he exited due to a back injury.[5] He returned to Seattle for treatment and convinced the SuperSonics to recall him which they did on February 14.[5]
In March 1978, Brisker travelled toUganda to launch an "import-export business".[6] The last confirmed communication from Brisker was on April 11, 1978, when he called his girlfriend in Seattle.[6]
It is unknown what happened to Brisker.[6] His former SuperSonics teammates have speculated that he was killed while fighting as a mercenary or shot in an argument with persons in the Ugandan government.[6] He wasdeclared dead in absentia on May 29, 1985, by themedical examiner ofKing County for the purpose of settling his estate.[6][7] However, theState Department could not confirm that Brisker had travelled to Africa; a spokesperson stated that "essentially, we don’t consider him dead."[6]
Brisker had a daughter.[8]
