Photo Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Photo Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Harvey Pollack, the longtime Sixers statistician who famously wrote the “100” sign that Wilt Chamberlain held up after scoring 100 points in a game, has passed away. He was the only person still working in the league who had worked there since the first season in 1946. He was awarded the John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.

Over his long and illustrious career, Pollack has been credited with coining the term “triple-double,” and he was the first to ever track blocks, steals, turnovers, minutes played, and differentiate between offensive and defensive rebounds. He also, according to a press release from the Sixers, was the first to track “48-minute stat projections, plus-minus evaluations, distances of field goals, four-point plays, dunks and more.” Scott O’Neil said in the press release:

“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the passing of a true NBA legend, Harvey Pollack. He may never have laced up his sneakers, but few have done more to advance the game, in the NBA or Philadelphia basketball, than Harvey. He did what he loved until the end, and shared that love of statistics and basketball with his family, who we remember at this difficult time. We count ourselves incredibly lucky to have had his wealth of knowledge, indomitable spirit, passionate drive and love for our sport with us here in Philadelphia and with the Sixers for so many years. He will be missed while his legacy will endure.”

Pollack was 93.