Hall of Fame
Dick was a one-sport superstar on the hardwood at Latin, and became a well traveled player in the sport. One of the tallest Lion hoopsters of his era, the 6-foot-8 Thiesen started at center his junior and senior seasons. During his senior campaign, Dick was the team’s leading scorer, the second-leading scorer in the East Senate, and the third-leading scorer in the city. That team finished with record of 12- 5, Latin’s best hoops record to date. His personal honors included being chosen by the Cleveland News and Cleveland Press as first-team all-Senate and all-Catholic.
He received a basketball scholarship to Duquesne University, and later played semi-pro before signing with the Washington Bullets in the NBA in 1954. After that season, he joined the Washington Generals touring with the Harlem Globetrotters.
He joins classmates Joe Glowik and teammate Richard Manning in the Hall of Fame.
