Encyclopedia Of Detroit
Bing, Dave
Dave Bing is a retired professional basketball player and former mayor of Detroit from 2009 to 2013. Born in Washington, D.C. on November 24, 1943, Bing’s basketball career began in high school, where he made the All-American team. He attended Syracuse University, where he led the team in scoring for three consecutive years. In his senior year, Bing was named to the Sporting News All-America First Team and was named Syracuse Athlete of the Year.
He joined the NBA’s Detroit Pistons in 1966 as the second overall pick in the NBA draft. He went on to become the NBA Rookie of the Year. During his professional basketball career, Bing played nine seasons with the Pistons, played in seven All-Star games and was twice named to the All-NBA First Team. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1990.
After his basketball career ended, Bing founded Bing Steel, later called The Bing Group. The manufacturing company worked primarily in the areas of steel processing and metal forming.
On October 16, 2008, Bing announced that he would run for mayor of Detroit, to complete the term left vacant when former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick resigned following several federal convictions. On May 5, 2009, Bing defeated interim Mayor Ken Cockrel, Jr. to become the 62nd mayor of Detroit.
Bing was re-elected to a full term in November 2009. He did not seek re-election in 2013. While in office, the City of Detroit filed for bankruptcy, the largest municipality in the United States to do so. Bing lost much of his power as mayor to Kevyn Orr, the emergency financial manager appointed by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder. Bing was succeeded as mayor by Mike Duggan.
