Bob Cousy

On this date in 1959, Bob Cousy, of the Boston Celtics, set a National Basketball Association record with 28 assists as Boston beat the Minneapolis Lakers, 173-139. That game (played in Providence, RI) was the highest scoring game in NBA history up to that date. (The Celtics' 173 points is still the NBA record for a non-overtime game).

Cousy's record was broken by Scott Skiles, of the Orlando Magic, who had 30 assists on 30 December 1990. Cousy's record of 19 assists in one half continues as an NBA record.

The 6'1" Cousy, considered one of the best passers and playmakers in NBA history, was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame (now the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame) in 1971. He was a 1950 graduate of Holy Cross College in Worcester, MA, and he currently lives in Worcester.

Background information:

NBA Encyclopedia: Bob Cousy Bio

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Boston Celtics

HowStuffWorks: Bob Cousy

Boston Sports Then and Now: Bob Cousy (21 OCT 09)

Holy Cross Magazine: Holy Cross Top 10 (Spring 2000)

Boaton Globe: For Cousy, assist record was just another game in passing (31 OCT 10)