Joe Ruklick was like the Maytag Repairman when he was Wilt's 6'9" backup center with the Philadelphia Warriors. He played 3 years and hardly ever got into a game because Wilt never came out. But he did get the assist when Wilt scored his 100th point then he ran over to the scorer's table to make sure he was credited. As a high school senior Ruklick was named the high school center of the year in a North-South All Star game. Wilt wasn't invited because he was black. At Northwestern Ruklick played against Wilt in his first varsity game at KU and "held" him to 52 pts, a KU record. He said on the opening play, Wilt said to him, 'Hey teach me that hook shot of yours." Joe tried his hook shot that Wilt blocked and then Wilt ran down the court laughing. Joe Ruklick had a front row seat to Wilt's college and early pro career. He asked to be traded after 3 years of sitting behind Wilt so he could play somewhere. The Warriors refused to trade him because they needed to keep white players. He quit then after three seasons in the NBA. He had great respect for Wilt. They were rookies together, but this year Wilt scored 100 and averaged 50. Joe left after this season.
www.chicagotribune.com/2020/09/17/former...nba-game-dies-at-82/
