American · Washington DC · Born 24 November 1943American basketball player and politician who starred as a guard in the NBA from 1966-1978, leading the league in scoring and later serving as Detroit mayor
David Bing was born in Washington DC in 1943 and attended Syracuse University. Detroit Pistons selected him second overall in the 1966 NBA Draft. His 12-season career produced 20.3 points and 6.0 assists per game and seven All-Star appearances. He won the Rookie of the Year in 1967. He won the scoring title in 1968 with 27.1 points per game. He was named to the All-NBA First Team twice. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1990 and named to the NBA 50th Anniversary Team in 1996. He overcame a serious eye injury in 1971 that left him legally blind in one eye yet continued his career at near-elite level. His post-basketball career is remarkable — he founded Bing Steel in 1980, which became one of the most successful minority-owned businesses in America employing over 1,000 people. He was elected mayor of Detroit in 2009, serving through one of the most challenging periods in the city's history. His combination of athletic excellence, entrepreneurial success and public service makes him one of the most complete public figures in American sport.
High-scoring guard and future mayor of Detroit
How They Played
Explosive scorer with excellent speed and ball-handling skills
Lasting Impact
Hall of Fame guard who became a successful businessman and politician
Career Honours
- Rookie of the Year (1967)
- All-Star 7x
- All-NBA First Team 2x
- Hall of Fame (1990)
- NBA 50th Anniversary Team
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Pistons | 1966–1975 | 675 |
| Washington Bullets | 1975–1977 | 110 |
| Boston Celtics | 1977–1978 | 80 |
American Athletes