Charley Rosen, longtime basketball writer and Phil Jackson confidant, dies at 84
charley-rosen-dies-at-84
NEW YORK — Charley Rosen, a former coach, player and prolific basketball author closely linked to Phil Jackson, died early Saturday at age 84, his family announced.
A statement posted on Rosen’s Facebook page said he “passed at 4:38 a.m.” and thanked supporters, noting, “I’m sure all of your love helped him let go.”
College star turned pro
The 6-foot-8 Rosen dominated at Hunter College from 1959 to 1962, setting school records in scoring and rebounding and earning most valuable player honors three straight seasons. He later played in the Eastern Professional Basketball League and captured a gold medal at the 1961 Maccabiah Games alongside Larry Brown and Art Heyman.
Coaching career
Rosen coached at Bard College and SUNY New Paltz before joining Jackson as an assistant with the Albany Patroons of the Continental Basketball Association during the 1980s. He later held CBA head-coaching positions.
Author and analyst
Turning to writing, Rosen produced 16 books on basketball and provided pointed analysis for outlets such as Fox Sports and HoopsHype. His novels “Barney Polan’s Game” and “The House of Moses All-Stars” were chosen as New York Times Notable Books.
Honors
In 2024 he was inducted into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame. Knicks followers knew Rosen as one of Jackson’s most trusted advisers during Jackson’s tenure running the franchise.
Funeral arrangements were not immediately released.
Source: Hoops Wire
