Nat Hickey

Matthew J. "Nat" Hickey (January 30, 1902 – September 16, 1979) was a multi-sports American professional athlete and coach.

As a 5'11" guard/forward, Hickey played from the 1920s through 1940s with multiple early professional teams, including the Hoboken St. Joseph's, Eddie Holly's Majors, New York Crescents, Eddie Holly's Majors, Cleveland Rosenblums, the Chicago Bruins, Boston Trojans, Original Celtics of the American Basketball League and the Pittsburgh Raiders, Indianapolis Kautskys, and Tri-Cities Blackhawks of the National Basketball League.

In the second year after the formation of the Basketball Association of America (the forerunner to the NBA), Hickey served 29 games as head coach of the Providence Steamrollers during the 1947–48 season. Hickey's team posted a 4–25 record during his tenure. He activated himself as a player on January 27, 1948, a few days before his 46th birthday, and appeared in two games. He attempted six field goals – making none – and committed five personal fouls. He scored two points off of foul shots. As a result of these games, Hickey still holds the record for the oldest player in NBA history at 45 years and 363 days.

Aside from basketball, Hickey enjoyed a lengthy career in baseball, playing 15 minor league seasons and managing two.

Hickey managed and played several seasons of minor league baseball as an outfielder. Notably, he was baseball Hall of Famer Stan Musial's first minor league manager with the Williamson Colts in 1938.

Nat Hickey died on September 16, 1979 and the date of death was appeared in the Johnstown Tribune Obituary Index.