Ned Dixon "Dickie" Hemric (August 29, 1933 – August 3, 2017) was an American basketball player best known for an outstanding college career and a short professional tenure. Born in Jonesville, North Carolina, Hemric became a prominent figure in regional basketball during the early 1950s before moving on to the National Basketball Association for two seasons.

College career and playing style

Hemric attended Wake Forest, where he built a reputation as a durable inside scorer and strong rebounder. Playing in the era before widespread national television coverage, he nevertheless attracted attention for consistent production and leadership on the court. Teammates and observers remembered Hemric for his physicality, fundamentals around the basket, and an ability to convert close-range shots and follow rebounds.

Professional career

Following his collegiate success Hemric joined the professional ranks and played his entire NBA career with the Boston Celtics. His time in the league covered the 1955–1957 span, during which he contributed as a role player on a team that was becoming one of the era’s most successful franchises. While his pro career was brief compared with some contemporaries, it represented the typical transition of a top college player of that period into the growing professional game.

Legacy and recognition

Hemric is remembered primarily for his college accomplishments, where he ranks among Wake Forest’s most notable historical players and remains part of local basketball lore. His name continues to be mentioned in discussions of standout postwar college players from North Carolina. Over the years he received recognition from fans, former teammates, and his alma mater for his contributions to the program.

Personal life and later years

Born in Jonesville, North Carolina, Hemric later lived away from the national spotlight. He passed away at his home in Akron, Ohio on August 3, 2017, at age 83. Obituaries and remembrances highlighted both his athletic achievements and his role as a well-regarded figure in his community.

Notable facts

  • Collegiate standout: Hemric’s college play is the main reason he is still recalled by basketball historians and Wake Forest supporters.
  • NBA tenure: He played professionally in the mid-1950s and spent his NBA seasons with the Celtics, reflecting the era’s pathway from college to pro basketball.
  • Regional importance: Hemric remains a part of North Carolina’s rich basketball history and is periodically cited in retrospectives about the sport in the state.

For further reading on collegiate players of his era and the history of Wake Forest basketball, consult institutional histories and archives that document mid-20th-century college athletics. Additional biographical and statistical details are available through sports-reference resources and team records spanning the 1950s professional leagues, including the professional basketball records and local newspaper archives. Contemporary tributes and obituaries also provide context on his life and passing.

Resources and further links: Wake Forest athletics, pro basketball records, Jonesville history, Boston Celtics, Akron obituaries.