Calvin E. Ramsey

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One of the most familiar faces on New York's basketball courts and in its communities, Cal Ramsey has dedicated himself to our city for several decades.

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An All-City player at Commerce High School and All-American at NYU, Cal was the 11th overall pick in the 1959 NBA Draft.  His professional career - shortened by racial quotas and debilitating injury - included brief stints with the St. Louis Hawks, Syracuse Nationals and New York Knicks.  

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He is best remembered as the Knicks color commentator, teamed with the likes of Hall of Fame broadcasters Bob Wolff and Marv Albert during the team's championship seasons.  However, his affiliation with the Knicks includes a long tenure as Community Relations Director and his current post heading Alumni Relations.  Likewise he has maintained his allegiance to his alma mater actively serving NYU's development efforts and its basketball program to this day.

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A former Chairman of the New York City Sports Commission and member of the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame, he is a tireless advocate for the children of the city and his Harlem neighborhood and is omnipresent at local events.

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Cal remains the only player ever named Most Valuable Player in Rucker's High School, College, and Pro leagues; an honor as uniquely New York as the man himself.

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The Cal Ramsey Awards, established in 2017, recognize others in New York's basketball network who have displayed four characteristics embodied by Mr. Ramsey: Excellence, Dignity, Perseverance, and Commitment to Community.