Bill Tosheff (6/2/26 – 10/1/11)

Left: Oscar Robertson, NBRPA Founder Right: Bill Tosheff

One of the greatest humanitarian’s to ever play the game, Bill Tosheff, passed away from Cancer on Saturday, October 1^st in Hawaii; He was 85. “Tosh”, as everyone knew him, was a Captain, All American and All Big Ten at Indiana University in 1951 as well as a WWII Veteran. Upon entering professional basketball, Tosh was the first Co-Rookie of the Year in 1952 with the Indianapolis Olympians. He was inducted into the Indiana Hall of Fame in 1998.

Dedicating his life after basketball to those who stood beside him during his days on the hardwood, Tosh spent the past 22 years representing our Pre-1965 Members who were left out of the 1988 pension. In 1998, Tosh went before Congress explaining that the "Pre-65ers" deserved higher pensions and death benefits for their families.

Bill Tosheff won a total of 51 pension cases; giving those “Pre-65ers” the Pension they were owed. His latest accomplishment was winning a case that amounted to $342,000; the largest retro-active pension payment in NBA history.

Bill Tosheff’s life’s work and dedication exemplify the foundation of the NBRPA’s efforts to assist the players who have made the game what it is today.

On behalf of the NBRPA Founders, Board of Directors, Staff and our membership, we would like to extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the entire Tosheff family. Tosh will forever be one of our own.