Danny Biasone Hall of Fame NBA

Daniel "Danny" Biasone is often hailed as the "man who saved the NBA." An Italian immigrant who became a successful businessman in Syracuse, New York, Biasone founded the Syracuse Nationals (now the Philadelphia 76ers) in 1946. Biasone’s solution was the 24-second shot clock, which he co-developed with general manager Leo Ferris in 1954.

Using simple arithmetic—dividing the number of seconds in a game (2,880) by the average number of shots in an exciting game (120)—he landed on the number 24. The rule change was instantaneous in its impact: scoring jumped by 14 points per game in a single season, and fan interest skyrocketed.

He owned the Nationals until 1963 and saw them win the 1955 NBA Championship. He was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame as a contributor in 2000.

Biasone's Awards and Records

• NBA Champion Owner (1955)
• John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award (1982)
• Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame (1987)
• Creator of the 24-second shot clock
• Recognized as a major NBA innovator
• Introduced the most important rule change in NBA history
• Shaped the NBA’s transition into a fan-driven sport

NBA Position

Team Owner