Harry Gallatin

The undersized giant who set a record for consecutive games played and transformed how the Knicks handled rebounding.

Harry Junior 'The Horse' Gallatin anchored the New York Knicks from 1948 to 1957. Born in Roxana, Illinois, he served in the Navy before playing at Northeast Missouri State Teachers' College and becoming the Knicks' number one pick in the 1948 BAA draft. At only 6'6", he relied on raw physical power rather than height, earning the nickname 'The Horse' while dominating the paint.

Quick Facts

Born: 26 April 1927
Birthplace: Roxana, Illinois, U.S.
Died: 7 October 2015
Place of death: Edwardsville, Illinois, U.S.
High school: Roxana (Roxana, Illinois)
College: Truman (1946–1948)
Draft league: BAA
Draft round: – 4th

Lore & Background

Gallatin's tenure with the New York Knicks was defined by consistency and physical dominance. He played in seven consecutive NBA All-Star Games from 1951 to 1957, showcasing his elite status among peers. His most dominating single-game performance occurred during the final regular-season game of the 1952–53 season against the Fort Wayne Pistons, where he pulled down a Knicks-record 33 rebounds that still stands today. In the six seasons where rebounding statistics were officially recorded, Gallatin remained among the league leaders every year. He also set a franchise record by playing in 610 consecutive games, a testament to his durability and reliability as an undersized center who averaged 11.9 rebounds per game for his career.

Reader's Guide

Fans of the Knicks should note that Gallatin's career began when the league was still known as the BAA. He played nine seasons for New York before being traded to the Detroit Pistons on April 3, 1957, alongside Richard Atha and Nathaniel Clifton in exchange for Mel Hutchins and Charlie Tyra. Although he only played one season with Detroit (1957–58), his impact in New York remained foundational. His legacy includes being named to the All-NBA Second Team in 1955 following his First Team selection. Gallatin's journey continued into coaching, leading the St. Louis Hawks to the NBA Coach of the Year award in his first season (1962–63) and guiding them to division finals in back-to-back years. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991, and in May 2015, he was added to Madison Square Garden's Walk of Fame.

Did You Know?

Before his basketball career, Gallatin served in the United States Navy until the end of World War II after graduating from Roxana High School in 1944.
He was drafted by the Baltimore Bullets in the 4th round of the 1947 BAA Draft but did not play for them, instead joining the Knicks via the 1948 draft.