National Basketball Association

Former NBA ref Norm Drucker dead at 94

Published Feb. 6, 2015 10:53 p.m. ET

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Norm Drucker, the only NBA referee to toss Wilt Chamberlain from a game, died Friday. He was 94.

Drucker's son, Jim, confirmed his father's death to the NBA.

Norm Drucker worked NBA games from 1953-69, then moved to the ABA from 1969-76, also serving as that league's supervisor of officials for five years. He returned to the NBA when the leagues merged to spend one more season on the court (1976-77) before becoming the NBA's supervisor of officials until 1981.

Perhaps his most famous call came in 1962 when he called a second technical foul on Chamberlain, then with the Philadelphia Warriors. The ejection was the only one of the Hall of Fame center's career.

''His even-handed approach and commitment to fairness made him a frequent choice to preside over some of the biggest games in NBA history,'' NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said about Drucker.

Added David Stern, Silver's predecessor: ''From his time as one of our most trusted and respected game referees to his tenure as our supervisor of officials, Norm Drucker's passion and commitment to the integrity of our game was extraordinary, as was his dedication to all the referees who followed in his path. The NBA has lost a great friend whose impact on the league is felt with each game. Our thoughts go out to Norm's family and friends.''

Drucker played at City College of New York under Hall of Fame coach Nat Holman.

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