Ernie DiGregorio

Ernest "Ernie D." DiGregorio, born January 15, 1951, in North Providence, Rhode Island, is an American former professional basketball player. He decided at age 12 to become a professional player and spent thousands of hours developing his skills. At North Providence High School he played on the 1968 Rhode Island Class B championship team, averaging 26 points per game as a freshman and 37 as a senior.

DiGregorio attended Providence College, where he played under head coach Dave Gavitt and graduated in 1973. He was named an NCAA All-American in 1973.

He entered the National Basketball Association in 1973, playing for the Buffalo Braves, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Boston Celtics through 1978. In the 1973–74 season he was named NBA Rookie of the Year, and he shares the NBA rookie record for assists in a single game with 25. A severe knee injury suffered early in his professional career limited him to five NBA seasons.

DiGregorio was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.