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Rest in peace, Johnny Hoops.
A great New York life has come to an end. John Andariese, @FordhamRams alum & @nyknicks broadcaster for nearly 40 years has passed away.
— Pat O'Keefe (@patokeefe12) March 13, 2017
Legendary Knicks announcer John Andariese passed away Monday at the age of 78. Generations of New York basketball fans remember listening to Andariese calling Knicks games on MSG, and later on the radio.
Andariese played his college ball at Fordham in the late ‘50s. He was named all-city three times, and took on the mantle of team captain his senior year. His broadcasting career with the Knicks started way back in 1972-73 — a.k.a. their last championship season. Andariese was the franchise’s main TV color commentator from 1986 until 1998, when he was replaced by some dude named Clyde Frazier. He went back to radio, and eventually retired from broadcasting altogether in 2012.
Andariese was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame as an announcer in 2014.
Here is a nice call from Andariese and longtime partnet Marv Albert on the other Trent Tucker shot, in March 1991 against the Pistons.
The Knicks have had some rough times on the court throughout their long history, but we fans have also been blessed with some of the finest broadcasting talent this game has ever known. Johnny Hoops was one of the best. He’ll never be forgotten.