John Brisker
Encyclopedia
John Brisker was an American
professional basketball
player who disappeared
in Uganda
in April 1978. He was declared legally dead
in 1985.
, Brisker played six seasons in the ABA
and NBA
as a member of the Pittsburgh Pipers (1969–1970), Pittsburgh Condors
(1970–1972) and Seattle SuperSonics
(1972–1975). He averaged 20.7 points per game over the course of his career (26.1 points per game in the ABA, and 11.9 points per game in the NBA).
Brisker received a reputation as one of the most volatile players in basketball. According to his Condors teammate Charlie Williams
, “He was an excellent player, but say something wrong to the guy and you had this feeling he would reach into his bag, take out a gun and shoot you.” He was ejected so often for fighting that he was nicknamed "the heavyweight champion of the ABA." The Condors made much of Brisker's reputation as an enforcer; their media guide portrayed him wearing a pair of six-shooters.
Brisker's most infamous moment came against the Denver Rockets
. He was ejected only two minutes into the game for a vicious elbow on the Rockets' Art Becker
. For unknown reasons, he charged back onto the court three times after Becker before police finally ushered him to the locker room.
. Some rumor
s claim he went to Uganda as a mercenary
; others say he was invited as a guest by Idi Amin
. The last confirmed communication from Brisker was in April 1978, after which it has been speculated that he was executed by a firing squad when Amin was removed from power in 1979. He was declared legally dead
in 1985 by the King County, Washington
, medical examiner
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player who disappeared
Missing person
A missing person is a person who has disappeared for usually unknown reasons.Missing persons' photographs may be posted on bulletin boards, milk cartons, postcards, and websites, along with a phone number to be contacted if a sighting has been made....
in Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
in April 1978. He was declared legally dead
Death in absentia
Death in absentia is a legal declaration that a person is deceased in the absence of remains attributable to that person...
in 1985.
Sports career
A 6'5" forward/guard from the University of ToledoUniversity of Toledo
The University of Toledo is a public university in Toledo, Ohio, United States. The Carnegie Foundation classified the university as "Doctoral/Research Extensive."-National recognition:...
, Brisker played six seasons in the ABA
American Basketball Association
The American Basketball Association was a professional basketball league founded in 1967. The ABA ceased to exist with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976.-League history:...
and NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
as a member of the Pittsburgh Pipers (1969–1970), Pittsburgh Condors
Pittsburgh Condors
The Pittsburgh Condors were a professional basketball team in the original American Basketball Association. Originally called the Pittsburgh Pipers, they were a charter franchise of the ABA...
(1970–1972) and Seattle SuperSonics
Seattle SuperSonics
The Seattle SuperSonics were an American professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington that played in the Pacific and Northwest Divisions of the National Basketball Association from 1967 until 2008. Following the 2007–08 season, the team relocated to Oklahoma City, and now plays as...
(1972–1975). He averaged 20.7 points per game over the course of his career (26.1 points per game in the ABA, and 11.9 points per game in the NBA).
Brisker received a reputation as one of the most volatile players in basketball. According to his Condors teammate Charlie Williams
Charlie Williams (basketball)
Charles E. "Charlie" Williams is a former professional basketball player. A 6’0” guard from Stadium High School and Seattle University, he played in the American Basketball Association in the late 1960s and early 1970s...
, “He was an excellent player, but say something wrong to the guy and you had this feeling he would reach into his bag, take out a gun and shoot you.” He was ejected so often for fighting that he was nicknamed "the heavyweight champion of the ABA." The Condors made much of Brisker's reputation as an enforcer; their media guide portrayed him wearing a pair of six-shooters.
Brisker's most infamous moment came against the Denver Rockets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
. He was ejected only two minutes into the game for a vicious elbow on the Rockets' Art Becker
Art Becker
Arthur C. "Art" Becker is a retired American professional basketball player.A 6'7" forward from Arizona State University, Becker played six seasons in the American Basketball Association as a member of the Houston Mavericks, Indiana Pacers, Denver Rockets, Dallas Chaparrals, and New York Nets...
. For unknown reasons, he charged back onto the court three times after Becker before police finally ushered him to the locker room.
Disappearance in Uganda
In 1978, Brisker went missing after he traveled to UgandaUganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
. Some rumor
Rumor
A rumor or rumour is often viewed as "an unverified account or explanation of events circulating from person to person and pertaining to an object, event, or issue in public concern" However, a review of the research on rumor conducted by Pendleton in 1998 found that research across sociology,...
s claim he went to Uganda as a mercenary
Mercenary
A mercenary, is a person who takes part in an armed conflict based on the promise of material compensation rather than having a direct interest in, or a legal obligation to, the conflict itself. A non-conscript professional member of a regular army is not considered to be a mercenary although he...
; others say he was invited as a guest by Idi Amin
Idi Amin
Idi Amin Dada was a military leader and President of Uganda from 1971 to 1979. Amin joined the British colonial regiment, the King's African Rifles in 1946. Eventually he held the rank of Major General in the post-colonial Ugandan Army and became its Commander before seizing power in the military...
. The last confirmed communication from Brisker was in April 1978, after which it has been speculated that he was executed by a firing squad when Amin was removed from power in 1979. He was declared legally dead
Death in absentia
Death in absentia is a legal declaration that a person is deceased in the absence of remains attributable to that person...
in 1985 by the King County, Washington
King County, Washington
King County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. The population in the 2010 census was 1,931,249. King is the most populous county in Washington, and the 14th most populous in the United States....
, medical examiner
Medical examiner
A medical examiner is a medically qualified government officer whose duty is to investigate deaths and injuries that occur under unusual or suspicious circumstances, to perform post-mortem examinations, and in some jurisdictions to initiate inquests....
.
See also
- Legally deadDeath in absentiaDeath in absentia is a legal declaration that a person is deceased in the absence of remains attributable to that person...
- List of people who have mysteriously disappeared