DETROIT (AP) - Donnie Butcher, who played five seasons in the NBA and later coached the Detroit Pistons, has died. He was 76.
The Pistons confirmed Butcher's death through a family member.
Butcher averaged 6.1 points in 279 games with the Pistons and New York Knicks. He became Detroit's coach late in the 1966-67 season, replacing player-coach Dave DeBusschere.
Butcher went 52-60 at the helm. His only full season as coach was 1967-68, and he lead Detroit to the postseason - the team's only playoff appearance in a 10-season span.
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