Harry Gallatin dead, Knicks Hall of Famer was 88

Basketball Hall of Famer and former Knicks center Harry Gallatin died Wednesday morning, the team said. He was 88.

Nicknamed "The Horse," Gallatin played nine seasons with the Knicks, 1948-57. A durable big man, Gallatin appeared in 610 consecutive games, a Knicks' record that still stands.

Born April 26, 1927, in Roxana, Ill., Gallatin become a seven-time NBA All-Star and twice an All-NBA selection. He led the league in rebounds in 1953-54, and was a key player on the Knicks' three straight Eastern Division championship teams from 1951 to 1953.

He still ranks fourth on the Knicks' all-time rebounding list with 5,935.

Gallatin averaged 12.7 points and 9.7 rebounds as a Knick and finished his playing career with the Detroit Pistons in 1958. Later, he became head coach of the St. Louis Hawks and the Knicks, compiling a 25-38 record in parts of two seasons.

In May, the Knicks inducted Gallatin in the Garden's Walk of Fame. He joined fellow Knicks Bill Bradley, Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, Patrick Ewing, Dave DeBusschere, Earl Monroe, Dick McGuire and coaches Red Holzman and Joe Lapchick, who was Gallatin's coach for eight seasons.

The Knicks held a moment of silence for Gallatin before Wednesday's preseason game at the Garden.

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.