Gotkin, Dave

David Gotkin

Gotkin played for North Carolina State in 1954 when the Wolfpack won the first-ever ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) tournament (the league was formed that year).

Birth and Death Dates:
unknown

Career Highlights:
In 1952, Gotkin was a freshman for North Carolina State when the Wolfpack, with a season record of 24-10, won the Southern Conference tournament (Dave scored six points) and an automatic bid to the NCAA. Gotkin scored 13 points in N.C. State's 60-49 first-round NCAA loss to St. John's. The following year, NC State had a record of 26-6 and were ranked No. 8 by UPI (No. 18 AP), but did not play in the postseason.
In 1954, Gotkin averaged 5.8 points per game and the Wolfpack returned to the postseason, this time by winning the conference tournament of the newly-formed ACC; they finished fourth during the regular season with a 5-3 conference record (25-6 overall). Heading into the NCAA, the Wolfpack had a record of 24-6 and were ranked No. 14 in the UPI poll. In the first round, Gotkin did not score for the Wolfpack, but they still defeated George Washington, 75-73. N.C. State then advanced to the East Regional Semifinal to face LaSalle. Gotkin did not play in the game, and LaSalle (the eventual tournament champion) defeated the Wolfpack, 88-81.
Gotkin played one more season for the Wolfpack, averaging 9.7 points per game his senior season. Although they were one of the best teams in the country, N.C. State did not play in the postseason. They finished the year ranked No. 4 by the AP (No. 6 UPI) and won the ACC tournament championship (Gotkin averaged 6.3 points per game in the tourney); but because they were on probation, were ineligible to play in the NCAA tournament. Gotkin was an important part of NC State's success, playing in 66 games for the Wolfpack during his final two seasons,and averaging 7.7 points and 1.8 rebounds per game.

Origin:
Brooklyn, New York

Career Dates:
Gotkin played guard for North Carolina State from 1951-1955.

Physical description:
6'0", 170 pounds

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References:
encyclopedia of JEWS in sports, by Bernard Postal, Jesse Silver, and Roy Silver (New York: Bloch Publishing Co., 1965)
Inside Sports Magazine: College Basketball, by Mike Douchant with Jim Nantz (Detroit: Visible Ink Press, 1997)
Ronald Encyclopedia of Basketball, edited by William G. Mokray (Ronald Press: 1962)