Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map amid politicized multiple anthems and NFL funding anti-cop activist groups, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoops selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on January 2 in football at the professional level (especially early in 2005 at end of 2004 season):

JANUARY 2

• Miami Dolphins WR Chris Chambers (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught four passes for 146 yards in a 30-23 setback against the Baltimore Ravens in 2004 season finale early in 2005. Ravens LB Adalius Thomas (averaged 2.9 ppg and 1.9 rpg for Southern Mississippi in 1996-97 and 1997-98) had two sacks and forced two fumbles.

• New York Giants rookie DT Damane Duckett (made 3-of-4 field-goal attempts and grabbed 10 rebounds for East Carolina in nine basketball games in 2001-02) made his lone NFL start, collecting two solo tackles and assisting in three more, in 28-24 win against Dallas Cowboys in 2004 season finale.

• Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught 14 passes for 144 yards in a 24-17 setback against the San Diego Chargers in 2004 season finale early in 2005.

• Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) opened game's scoring by throwing a 75-yard touchdown pass to Paul Warfield in 21-0 AFC championship playoff win against the Baltimore Colts following 1971 season.

• Kansas City Chiefs rookie WR Tony Hargain (averaged 2.3 ppg for Oregon from 1986-87 through 1988-89 under coach Don Monson) caught two passes for 46 yards in a 17-0 setback against the San Diego Chargers in AFC wild-card game following 1992 season.

• Green Bay Packers RB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) rushed for a 13-yard touchdown in 23-12 NFL championship game win against the Cleveland Browns following 1965 season.

• Philadelphia Eagles rookie QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw three touchdown passes in a 38-31 win against the St. Louis Rams in 1999 season finale early in 2000.

• Washington Redskins TE Robert Royal (collected 10 points and six rebounds in five LSU basketball games in 2000-01) caught a touchdown pass in his third consecutive contest in 2004 regular-season finale early in 2005.

• Miami Dolphins WR Lamar Thomas (collected 16 points and 4 rebounds in four games for Miami FL in 1990-91 under coach Leonard Hamilton) caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Dan Marino in the fourth quarter to provide the difference in 24-17 wild-card playoff win against the Buffalo Bills following 1998 season early in 1999.

• New York Jets DE Marvin Washington (played in 1985 NCAA Tournament with UTEP under coach Don Haskins before averaging 2.9 ppg and 5.7 rpg for Idaho under Tim Floyd in 1987-88) had career-high 2 1/2 sacks in a 24-0 setback against the Houston Oilers at end of 1993 regular season.

• Dallas Cowboys P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection averaged 18.1 ppg and 8.4 rpg for Tennessee from 1964-65 through 1966-67) punted six times for 270 yards (45.0 average) in a 14-3 NFC championship game win against the San Francisco 49ers following 1971 season early in 1972.

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map spurring politicized multiple anthems and NFL funding anti-cop activist groups, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoops selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on January 1 in football at the professional level (especially in NFL and AFL championship contests following 1966 campaign):

JANUARY 1

• Houston Oilers TE John Carson (Georgia hoops letterman in 1952 and 1953) had a 13-yard pass reception in 24-16 win against the Los Angeles Chargers in AFL championship contest following 1960 season. Oilers rookie WR Bill Groman (led Heidelberg OH in scoring average as sophomore and junior while averaging 14.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg from 1954-55 through 1957-58) caught a touchdown pass from George Blanda.

• Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw two 29-yard first-half touchdown passes in a 31-7 win against the Buffalo Bills in AFL championship game following 1966 season on first day of 1967. FL Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) provided the go-ahead TD catch from Dawson. FL Elbert Dubenion (solid rebounder and defensive player for Bluffton OH in late 1950s) scored the Bills' only TD with a 69-yard pass from Jack Kemp.

• Arizona Cardinals TE Darren Fells (averaged 10.2 ppg and 6.3 rpg from 2004-05 through 2007-08, leading UCI in rebounding each of last three seasons) had a 37-yard touchdown reception in 44-6 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 2016 season finale.

• Dallas Cowboys E Pete Gent (three-time All-Big Ten Conference selection averaged 17.4 ppg and 8.3 rpg in leading Michigan State in scoring each season from 1961-62 through 1963-64) caught three passes for 28 yards in a 34-27 NFL championship game setback against the Green Bay Packers following 1966 season. Packers WR Bob Long (Wichita State hooper in 1960-61 and 1961-62 under coach Ralph Miller) had a nine-yard pass reception.

• Minnesota Vikings RDE James Harris (Temple hooper in 1988-89 under coach John Chaney) had one solo tackle in a 35-18 setback against the Chicago Bears in NFC wild-card game following 1994 season.

• San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (Southern California hooper as junior in 1979-80) had two interceptions in a 34-9 divisional playoff win against the Minnesota Vikings following 1988 season.

• Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antwaan Randle El (member of Indiana's 1999 NCAA Tournament team) had 81-yard punt return for a touchdown in 35-21 win against the Detroit Lions in 2005 regular-season finale on first day of 2006.

• Baltimore Ravens LB Adalius Thomas (averaged 2.9 ppg and 1.9 rpg for Southern Mississippi in 1996-97 and 1997-98) scored a touchdown on fumble recovery return in 20-16 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 2005 regular-season finale on first day of 2006.

A high this month of seven NCAA Division I All-Americans were born on January 7th and 26th. Kansas, Kentucky and Notre Dame contributed the most A-As born in January with five apiece. Marquette (Dwayne Wade and Sam Worthen on 17th) and the Fighting Irish (David Rivers and Dick Rosenthal on 20th) each have two All-Americans born on the same day this month. A-As John "Hook" Dillon (North Carolina), Rollie Seltz (Hamline MN) and Ernie Calverley (Rhode Island State) were born 100 years ago this month. Three former Wyoming standouts are among the following All-Americans and Hall of Fame coaches born this month:

JANUARY

1: All-Americans Glen "Big Baby" Davis (born in 1986/Louisiana State), Travis Grant (1950/Kentucky State), George Gregory Jr. (1906/Columbia), Ronnie Lester (1959/Iowa), Mike Mitchell (1956/Auburn) and Waldo Wegner (1913/Iowa State).
2: All-Americans Hal Gensichen (1921/Western Michigan), Luke Harangody (1988/Notre Dame), Kirk Hinrich (1981/Kansas), Chris Thomforde (1947/Princeton) and Michael Young (1961/Houston).
3: All-Americans Jay Edwards (1969/Indiana), Don May (1946/Dayton), Doug McDermott (1992/Creighton) and Jason Sasser (1974/Texas Tech).
4: All-Americans Sidney Green (1961/UNLV) and Bob Morse (1951/Penn).
5: All-Americans Rod Fletcher (1930/Illinois), Ryan Minor (1974/Oklahoma), Rick Mount (1947/Purdue), George Munroe (1922/Dartmouth and Tyler Ulis (1996/Kentucky) plus Hall of Fame coach Luigi "Lou" Carnesecca (1925/St. John's).
6: All-Americans Sean Kilpatrick (1990/Cincinnati), Duane Klueh (1926/Indiana State), Tom Marshall (1931/Western Kentucky) and Dwayne "Pearl" Washington (1964/Syracuse).
7: All-Americans Todd Day (1970/Arkansas), Reece Gaines (1981/Louisville), Jerry Nemer (1912/Southern California), Don Rehfeldt (1927/Wisconsin), Edgar Sonderman (1916/Syracuse), Bill Uhl Sr. (1933/Dayton) and Michael Wright (1980/Arizona).
8: All-Americans Bill Closs (1922/Rice), John "Hook" Dillon (1924/North Carolina), Chris Douglas-Roberts (1987/Memphis), Tre Jones (2000/Duke), Todd Lichti (1967/Stanford) and Calvin Natt (1957/Northeast Louisiana) plus Hall of Fame coach Davey Whitney (1930/Alcorn State).
9: All-Americans Michael Beasley (1989/Kansas State) and James "Scoonie" Penn (1977/Ohio State).
10: All-Americans Paul Birch (1910/Duquesne) and Glenn Robinson Jr. (1973/Purdue) plus Hall of Fame coach Lou Henson (1932/Hardin-Simmons, New Mexico State and Illinois).
11: All-Americans Ernie Andres (1918/Indiana) and Gary Brokaw (1954/Notre Dame).
12: All-Americans Bonzie Colson II (1996/Notre Dame), Michael "Campy" Russell (1952/Michigan) and Dominique Wilkins (1960/Georgia).
13: All-Americans Tom Gola (1933/La Salle), Vernon Hatton (1936/Kentucky) and Alec Kessler (1967/Georgia).
14: All-Americans Meyer "Mike" Bloom (1915/Temple), Aaron Brooks (1985/Oregon), Wayne Hightower (1940/Kansas) and Kenny Sailors (1921/Wyoming).
15: All-Americans Bob Davies (1920/Seton Hall), Ernie DiGregorio (1951/Providence) and Don Kojis (1939/Marquette).
16: All-Americans Don MacLean (1970/UCLA), Greivis Vasquez (1987/Maryland) and Joseph "Jo Jo" White (1946/Kansas).
17: All-Americans Bill Davis (1911/Kentucky), Quamdeen "Ayo" Dosunmu (2000/Illinois), Don Forman (1926/NYU), Dwyane Wade (1982/Marquette), Sam Worthen (1958/Marquette) and Tyler Zeller (1990/North Carolina).
18: All-Americans Isaac "Bud" Stallworth (1950/Kansas) and Jewell Young (1913/Purdue).
19: All-Americans Ron Behagen (1951/Minnesota), Jim Line (1926/Kentucky) and Bill Mlkvy (1931/Temple).
20: All-Americans Ron Harper Sr. (1964/Miami of Ohio), Bailey Howell (1937/Mississippi State), Jason Richardson (1981/Michigan State), David Rivers (1965/Notre Dame), Dick Rosenthal (1930/Notre Dame) and Grady Wallace (1934/South Carolina) plus Hall of Fame coach Norm Stewart (1935/Missouri).
21: All-Americans Roosevelt Bouie (1958/Syracuse), Simpson "Skip" Brown (1955/Wake Forest), Hakeem Olajuwon (1963/Houston), Detlef Schrempf (1963/Washington) and Tom Stith (1939/St. Bonaventure) plus Hall of Fame coaches John Chaney (1932/Temple) and Don Donoher (1932/Dayton).
22: All-Americans Dillon Brooks (1996/Oregon), Quintin Dailey (1961/San Francisco), Greg Oden (1988/Ohio State), Leon Powe (1984/California), Lennie Rosenbluth (1933/North Carolina) and Sam Williams (1945/Iowa).
23: All-American Keita Bates-Diop (1996/Ohio State).
24: All-Americans Fennis Dembo (1966/Wyoming), Kevin Magee (1959/UC Irvine) and Albert "Ab" Nicholas (1931/Wisconsin).
25: All-Americans Da'Sean Butler (1988/West Virginia), Acie Law IV (1985/Texas A&M), Chris Mills (1970/Arizona), Rollie Seltz (1924/Hamline MN), Emilio "Zeke" Sinicola (1929/Niagara) and Walt Wesley (1945/Kansas).
26: All-Americans MarShon Brooks (1989/Providence), Vince Carter (1977/North Carolina), Bill Hapac (1918/Illinois), Tom Henderson (1952/Hawaii), Dick McGuire (1926/St. John's), Kevin Pangos (1993/Gonzaga) and Sylvester "Sly" Williams (1958/Rhode Island) plus Hall of Fame coach Walter "Doc" Meanwell (1884/Wisconsin and Missouri).
27: All-Americans Wesley Cox (1955/Louisville), Russell Lee (1950/Marshall) and Tony Windis (1933/Wyoming).
28: All-Americans Michael Cage (1962/San Diego State), Mark Madsen (1976/Stanford) and Payton Pritchard (1998/Oregon).
29: All-Americans Greg Ballard (1955/Oregon), Vinnie Ernst (1942/Providence) and Stacey King (1967/Oklahoma).
30: All-Americans Ernie Calverley (1924/Rhode Island State), John "Jack" Kerris (1925/Loyola of Chicago), Paul Neumann (1938/Stanford), Rick Robey (1956/Kentucky), Jalen Rose (1973/Michigan) and Mychal Thompson (1955/Minnesota) plus Hall of Fame coach Tom Izzo (1955/Michigan State).
31: All-Americans Len Chappell (1941/Wake Forest) and Hal Lear (1935/Temple).

Birthdays in January for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in February for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in March for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in April for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in May for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in June for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in July for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in August for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in September for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in October for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in November for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in December for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches

Wanna commence countdown to winning your first bar bet in 2024? Do you know the only individual who played both basketball and football for Alabama and Washington? In 1929, Mark Antoncich Sr. claimed he played football and basketball at Bama with his younger brother (Pete) before becoming homesick and returning to the Northwest. Antoncich, a right tackle letterman for UW in 1932, was a hoops letterman in 1933 under coach Hec Edmundson.

In an era of specialization, two-way athletes are becoming a dying breed. In the "good old days," a striking number of versatile athletes such as Antoncich participated in both college basketball and football. Amid Florida State fans eating 60-point defeat crow during this multi-sport mosaic, sports history buffs might not want to do likewise by knowing football players who also played hoops for the following four participants in this year's College Football Playoff National Championship since the start of national postseason competition in basketball in the late 1930s:

ALABAMA

FB-BKB Player	Summary of Football Career	Summary of Basketball Career
John Hite	Nashville native was letterman halfback in 1944.	Guard was a letterman during second half of 1940s.
Ralph Jones	All-SEC second-team selection in 1944 was an end who caught three passes for the AAFC's Baltimore franchise in 1947.	The 6-3, 200-pounder was a basketball letterman for the Crimson Tide in 1945 as a center.
Wheeler Leeth	Letterman end in 1941 and 1942.	Three-year letterman was an All-SEC third-team selection as a senior center in 1941-42.
Hugh Morrow	Back caught 20 passes for 252 yards and four touchdowns in 1945 and 1946.	Letterman guard in 1945.
James "Shorty" Robertson	Running back scored two touchdowns in 1945 (rushing 27 times for 169 yards and catyching six passes for 118 yards).	Letterman forward in 1945.
Perron "Tex" Shoemaker	Three-year letterman end the second half of the late 1930s. All-SEC second-team selection in 1936 and 1937.	Letterman guard from 1936 through 1938.
Roy "Rebel" Steiner	Letterman second half of 1940s. All-SEC end in 1945 led the Tide in pass receptions that year (18) and in 1947 (23).	Scored 179 points in 1947-48 and 1948-49.
W.L. "Bud" Waites	Letterman halfback in 1938.	Letterman forward in 1938.
Erwin "Tut" Warren	Letterman from 1937 through 1939. All-SEC end in 1937.	Letterman guard in 1938.
Jim Whatley	Three-year letterman was an All-SEC first-team tackle and All-American second-team selection as a senior in 1935. Starting tackle for 1934 team compiling a 10-0 record and defeating Stanford, 29-13, in the Rose Bowl. Tackle and end for the NFL's Brooklyn Dodgers from 1936 through 1938.	The 6-4 1/2 center in basketball was a sophomore starter and fourth-leading scorer in the league for 1933-34 squad winning the school's first SEC title by compiling a 16-2 record. He was a first-team selection on the All-SEC Tournament team in 1934 and 1936. Whatley served as head basketball coach with Western Carolina, Mississippi (1946-47 through 1948-49) and Georgia (1949-50 and 1950-51).

MICHIGAN

FB-BKB Player	Summary of Football Career	Summary of Basketball Career
Robert M. Brown	End caught 11 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns in 1961 and as senior captain in 1962. Picked in 20th round by the Detroit Lions in 1962 NFL draft.	Center averaged 3.6 ppg and 7.1 rpg from 1959-60 through 1961-62.
Pete "Bump" Elliott	Executive director of the Pro Football Hall of Fame earned All-American honors as a QB for the Wolverines' 1948 national champion. Big Ten Conference MVP led Michigan to a 49-0 victory over USC in the 1948 Rose Bowl. Former head coach at Nebraska (4-6 record in 1956), California (10-21 from 1957 through 1959) and Illinois (1960 through 1966) led Cal and the Illini to Rose Bowl berths.	A four-year starter as a 6-0, 190-pound guard on UM teams from 1945-46 through 1948-49. Captain of squad as a sophomore and member of Big Ten Conference championship team in 1947-48. First-team all-conference choice as a junior and second-team selection as a senior. Second-team pick on Helms All-American team in 1947-48 when he scored a team-high 15 points in the Wolverines' first NCAA Tournament victory, a 66-49 decision over Columbia in the Eastern Regional third-place game. Excerpt from school guide: "At times his defensive work was almost uncanny as he held high-scoring opposition practically scoreless in several games. Outstanding at recovering rebounds."
Kelvin Grady	Slot receiver had a brother, Kevin, who was a running back for the Wolverines. On October 17, 2009, they became the first pair of brothers to score a touchdown in the same game for Michigan as far as could be determined by the school's record books. The next year, Kelvin had a career-long 43-yard reception and career-long 15-yard rush against Massachusetts en route to catching 17 passes for 211 yards.	Kelvin started as a 5-9 point guard most of his freshman season in 2007-08 before his minutes were drastically reduced as a sophomore the next campaign when the Wolverines reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 11 years.
Tom Harmon	Two-time consensus All-American HB won Heisman Trophy in 1940. First pick overall in the 1941 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears. Rushed for 542 yards and five touchdowns, including an 84-yard jaunt, in two seasons (1946 and 1947) with the Los Angeles Rams following World War II military service.	Averaged 7.6 ppg as a sophomore in 1938-39 and led the Wolverines in scoring in five contests. Posted 2.5-point average the next year as a junior. UM coach Bennie Oosterbaan said Harmon "had a great fake and cut, a great shot, and aggressiveness."
Bruce Hilkene	Captain and starting left tackle of undefeated 1947 team before becoming 30th-round pick by Pittsburgh Steelers in NFL draft. Caught four passes for 72 yards as wide receiver in 1943 and 1944 before serving in U.S. Navy during WWII.	Played in 12 games as backup center in 1944 and 1945.
Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch	Member of College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame. First-round draft choice by Cleveland in 1945 (5th pick overall). Played HB, DB back and OE end as a pro with the Chicago Rockets of the All-America Football Conference from 1946 through 1948 and Los Angeles Rams of the NFL from 1949 through 1957. Caught 387 passes and scored 66 touchdowns as a pro. Played in four NFL championship games. Held the Rams' team record for most touchdown receptions for almost 40 years until it was broken by Isaac Bruce in 2001.	Starting C for the Wolverines' basketball team in 1944 while undergoing military training there. Sketch in UM guide: "Naval transfer from Wisconsin was a big aid, chiefly through his flaming competitive spirit."
Paul Jokisch	Split end caught 55 passes for 1,037 yards and six touchdowns from 1984 through 1986. He had a pass reception in both the 1986 Fiesta Bowl and 1987 Rose Bowl. Fifth-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers in 1987 NFL draft.	Forward averaged 3.9 ppg and 1.7 rpg in 1982-83 and 1983-84 under coach Bill Frieder.
Gary Kane	Wide receiver caught one pass each year in 1958 and 1959.	Guard averaged 3.5 ppg in 10 games in 1958-59.
Ron Kramer	OE for 10 seasons (1957 and 1959 through 1967) with the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions. First-round draft choice caught 229 passes for 3,272 yards and 16 touchdowns in the NFL. Pro Bowl selection in 1963. Had 53 receptions for 880 yards and eight TDs with the Wolverines, including a career-best 70-yarder against UCLA as a senior in 1956.	The 6-3, 220-pound F-C led the Wolverines in scoring as a sophomore (16 ppg) and junior (20.4) before finishing second on the team as senior (14.5). Three-time All-Big Ten Conference selection (second-team pick as a sophomore and junior and first-team choice as a senior) was named UM's team MVP all three seasons. Kramer was a second-team All-American selection by Converse and third-team pick by the National Association of Basketball Coaches as a senior captain in 1956-57. Selected in the fifth-round of the 1957 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons. Excerpt from school guide: "Can leap and battle as well as shoot, and he's an inspirational type player who picks up his teammates when he's in there."
Don Lund	Fullback rushed 141 times for 628 yards from 1942 through 1944.	Forward averaged 4.4 ppg from 1943 through 1945.
Scott Maentz	Wide receiver caught 14 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns from 1959 through 1961.	Forward averaged 8.1 ppg and 9.4 rpg in 1959-60 and 1960-61.
Bennie Oosterbaan	Member of College Football Hall of Fame coached Michigan's football team to a 63-33-4 record in 11 seasons (1948 through 1958). His first team finished with a 9-0 record and was voted national champion in the AP poll. He won Big Ten Conference titles in 1948, 1949 and 1950.	In 1943, the Helms Athletic Foundation named him to its 10-man All-American basketball teams it selected for the 1926-27 and 1927-28 seasons. Finished third in Western Conference (forerunner of Big Ten) scoring in 1926-27 (9.3 points per game) and led the league as a senior the next year (10.8 ppg).
Gary Prahst	WR caught 41 passes for 588 yards and three touchdowns while rushing once for 31 yards from 1956 through 1958, leading the Wolverines in receiving each of his last two seasons. Fourth-round selection by the Cleveland Browns in 1959 NFL draft (37th pick overall).	Missed his only field-goal attempt in three basketball games in 1956-57.
Dick Rifenburg	E for back-to-back undefeated national champions in 1947 and 1948. Seventh-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1948 NFL draft caught 10 passes for 96 yards and one touchdown with the Detroit Lions in 1950. Led Big Ten Conference in pass receptions as an All-American senior in 1948. Held UM single-season touchdown reception record (eight) for more than 30 years until broken by Anthony Carter in 1980.	Scored nine points in five basketball games in 1948-49.
Jim Skala	Reserve E for UM in 1949 (caught one pass for 31 yards) and 1950 (two receptions for 33 yards before beating favored Cal in Rose Bowl).	The 6-3 Skala averaged 8.1 ppg for the Wolverines from 1949-50 through 1951-52. Captain, leading scorer/rebounder and MVP as senior. Compiled a 43-86 coaching record for Eastern Michigan in six seasons from 1954-55 through 1959-60.
Dan Smick	Wide receiver caught one pass for 13 yards and rushed once for six yards in 1938.	Guard averaged 3.2 ppg from 1936-37 through 1938-39.
Tai Streets	WR was sixth-round selection in 1999 NFL draft before catching 196 passes for 2,268 yards and 14 touchdowns with the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions in six years through 2004. Managed at least four receptions for at least 50 yards in all three of his NFL playoff games. Leader in pass receptions for the Wolverines in 1996 and 1998. Second-leading receiver for 1997 national champion when he had two TD receptions of more than 50 yards from Brian Griese in 21-16 Rose Bowl win against Washington State. Caught 131 passes for 2,016 yards and 17 TDs for UM from 1995 through 1998 (including six catches for 192 yards - one for 76 yards from Tom Brady - at Minnesota his senior season).	Collected four points and seven rebounds in 13 games for NIT titlist in 1996-97 under coach Steve Fisher. Allegedly paid the father of Brian Bowen Sr. $5,000 cash in a misdeed cited during 2019 federal trial investigating nationwide corruption in NCAA hoops.
Milo Sukup	Letterman guard from 1938 through 1940.	Forward played in 10 games in 1938-39.
Eugene "Bob" Topp	End caught 28 passes for 390 yards and three touchdowns in 1952 and 1953 (All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection had team-high 23 pass receptions). Caught six passes for 90 yards and three touchdowns after becoming 13th-round pick by the New York Giants in 1954 NFL draft.	Forward averaged 1.4 ppg in 1951-52 and 1952-53.
Rex Wells	Letterman guard in 1943.	Averaged 1.8 ppg in six games in 1944.
Rick White	Split end in 1976 and 1977 caught two touchdown passes in his second season.	Forward averaged 3.9 ppg and 2.4 rpg in 1973-74 and 1974-75 under coach Johnny Orr.
Bob Wiese	Fullback and occasional quarterback rushed for 1,542 yards from 1942 (led UM with 466 yards) through 1946 (captain missed end of 1944 season and all of 1945 serving in U.S. military during WWII). Fifth-round choice by the Detroit Lions in 1945 NFL draft (39th pick overall) rushed 20 times for 61 yards and caught five passes for 53 yards while intercepting four passes with them in 1947.	Averaged 3.9 ppg in 1943 and 1944.
Irvin "Whiz" Wisniewski	E caught 21 passes for 256 yards from 1947 through 1949, including runner-up with 11 receptions for 126 yards and one touchdown as a senior. Member of 10-0 national championship team as a sophomore. Compiled a 2-6 mark as Hillsdale (Mich.) football coach in 1951.	Averaged 1.6 ppg for the Wolverines from 1947-48 through 1949-50. Scored two points in UM's first NCAA playoff win (66-49 against Columbia in 1948 Eastern Regional third-place game). Posted a 111-154 record (.419) as Delaware's coach for 12 seasons from 1954-55 through 1965-66 when the Blue Hens made transition to NCAA Division I level.

TEXAS

FB-BKB Player	Summary of Football Career	Summary of Basketball Career
Ed Kelley	Letterman tackle from 1946 through 1948. Selected in 30th round by New York Giants in 1948 NFL draft. Started two games for the AAFC's Los Angeles Dons in 1949.	Letterman in 1949.
Malcolm "Mal" Kutner	Two-time All-Pro halfback/defensive back caught 145 passes for 3,060 yards and 31 touchdowns plus 13 interceptions with the Chicago Cardinals in five years from 1946 through 1950. Led NFL receivers in total yardage and average per reception in 1947 and 1948. Paced the NFL in TDs in 1948 with 15. Fourth-round selection in 1942 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers (26th pick overall). First UT player chosen to compete in the Chicago Tribune's All-Star Game was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1974.	The 6-2, 195-pounder was a two-year basketball letterman in the early 1940s. The Longhorns got a lot of mileage out of him late in the 1941-42 campaign when he scored 14 points in a victory against SMU before leading them in scoring in back-to-back games at Arkansas.
Bobby Layne	Six-time All-Pro quarterback passed for 26,768 yards and 196 touchdowns with the Chicago Bears, New York Bulldogs, Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers in 15 years from 1948 through 1962. Led the NFL in passing yardage in back-to-back seasons in 1950 and 1951, pacing the league in passing TDs with 26 in 1951. First-round draft choice in 1948 (3rd pick overall) helped the Lions capture three NFL championships (1952-53-57). Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967. Co-MVP of the 1946 Cotton Bowl before being named MVP of the 1948 Sugar Bowl.	The 6-1, 200-pound backup hooper for the Longhorns in 1944-45 scored eight points in an annual charity game against Bergstrom Army Air Field.
Bobby Moers	Letterman in 1938.	Letterman from 1938 through 1940.
Jack Wallace	Letterman in 1945.	Letterman in 1945.

WASHINGTON

FB-BKB Player	Summary of Football Career	Summary of Basketball Career
Al Akins	Back rushed for two touchdowns, caught one TD pass and intercepted two passes in AAFC with Cleveland, Brooklyn and Buffalo in three years from 1946 through 1948.	The 6-1 forward was a UW hoops letterman in 1944 after lettering with Washington State the previous two years (averaging 6 ppg in 1941-42 and 6.2 ppg in 1942-43).
Hal Arnason Jr.	Quarterback letterman in 1945.	Scored 139 points from 1947-48 through 1949-50.
Connor Griffin	Sandwiched between pair of hoop stints, walk-on tight end/wide receiver made one start and one catch for nine yards in two seasons with UW in 2015 and 2016.	The 6-3 Griffin collected 18 points and 15 rebounds in 88 minutes for Gonzaga's NCAA playoff squads in 2013-14 and 2014-15. He was an All-Golden State Athletic Conference selection with NAIA Vanguard in 2017-18 while averaging team-high 16.1 ppg and contributing 6.9 rpg plus shooting 63.5% from the floor.
Richard King	Halfback letterman in 1944 and 1948.	Hoops letterman in 1945.
Doug McClary	End from 1951 through 1953. Led UW in pass receptions in 1951 with 29 for 343 yards and three touchdowns.	Averaged 6.4 ppg and 10.7 rpg from 1950-51 through 1952-53 (All-PCC first-team selection).
Sam Mitchell	Defensive back from 1950 through 1952.	Scored 10 points in nine basketball games in 1951-52.
Mike Monroe	Halfback in 1953 and 1955. Caught a 57-yard touchdown pass vs. Colorado in 1953. Selected in 23rd round by the San Francisco 49ers in 1956 NFL draft after catching team-high 11 passes for the Huskies.	Averaged 1.4 ppg and 1.5 rpg in 1953-54 and 1954-55 under coach Tippy Dye.
M. "Dean" Parsons	Tackle in 1952.	Two-time All-PCC North Division first-team selection averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.3 rpg from 1951-52 through 1954-55 under coach Tippy Dye.
Steve Roake	Quarterback from 1953 through 1955. Led team in passing yardage in 1955 including an 80-yard touchdown pass vs. USC. UW's top punter in 1955.	Scored four points in eight basketball games in 1952-53.
Nate Robinson	Started the last half of his freshman season (2002) with the Huskies as a cornerback, intercepting two passes for their Sun Bowl team. Son of Jacque Robinson, a tailback for UW who earned MVP honors in both the Rose Bowl (1982) and Orange Bowl (1985).	Led UW's basketball team in scoring as a freshman with 13 ppg. Went on to play in the 2010 NBA Finals with the Boston Celtics after beginning his career with the New York Knicks.
Reggie Rogers	First-team All-American defensive lineman was a first-round draft choice of the Detroit Lions in 1987 (7th pick overall). He also played with the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a six-year NFL career. His older brother, Don, an outstanding safety at UCLA, was a starter for the Cleveland Browns when he died tragically.	Averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.9 rpg in three varsity basketball seasons (1982-83 through 1984-85). The 6-6, 260-pounder hit four-of-five field-goal attempts in their 80-78 second-round victory over Duke in 1984 in Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski's first NCAA playoff game. Rogers' best year was his first when he averaged 8.4 ppg and 5.3 rpg, including a 22-point, 12-rebound outing against UCLA. Excerpt from school guide: "Many of his points come on thunderous sky-walking dunks."
Austin Seferian-Jenkins	Tight end started 10 of 13 games in 2011, posting two-TD games against California and Oregon State before catching 5 passes for 59 yards in Alamo Bowl against RGIII-led Baylor in the highest-scoring regulation bowl game in history. Amassed 538 receiving yards that ranked No. 2 in UW single-season history for a true freshman (any position). Upon completing his sophomore season, he had already set school tight end career standards for receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. Following UW's win in the 2013 Fight Hunger Bowl, the 6-6 Seferian-Jenkins announced he would leave school early and enter the 2014 NFL draft (2nd-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers). He had two TDs among his 38 receptions as a rookie.	Averaged 1.1 ppg and 2.1 rpg in 17 games as a freshman in 2011-12, collecting 7 points and 9 rebounds in four contests for NIT semifinalist.
Dick Sprague	Led Huskies in punt return yardage in 1950 and in kickoff return yardage in 1951. Caught a 56-yard TD pass vs. Cal before becoming a 14th-round pick by the Chicago Cardinals in 1953 NFL draft.	Averaged 1.6 ppg in eight contests in 1951-52.

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as ill-informed GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick and his supporters spurring politicized multiple anthems and NFL funding anti-cop activist groups, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on December 29 in football at the professional level (especially in 1957 and 1963 championship contests):

DECEMBER 29

• Baltimore Colts DE Ordell Braase (first-team All-NCC pick for South Dakota in 1952-53 and 1953-54) had three sacks in a 34-0 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1968 NFL championship game.

• Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg for Southern in 1969-70) contributed a game-high 92 receiving yards - capping off contest's scoring with 37-yard touchdown reception - in 24-17 setback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1979 NFC divisional-round play.

• George Halas (starting guard for Illinois' Big Ten Conference hoops titlist in 1916-17) coached the Chicago Bears to a 14-10 win against the New York Giants in 1963 NFL championship contest. Bears rookie PK Bob Jencks (collected 3 points and 12 rebounds in five basketball games for Miami of Ohio in 1960-61) kicked both extra points. Giants starting SS Dick Pesonen (two-year Minnesota-Duluth hoops letterman was starting guard in 1959-60) recovered a fumble.

• Carolina Panthers DE Greg Hardy (Ole Miss backup forward as freshman in 2006-07) had four sacks and five tackles in a 21-20 victory against the Atlanta Falcons in 2013 regular-season finale.

• Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught seven passes for 146 yards in a 34-31 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2002 season finale.

• Philadelphia Eagles TE Jimmie Johnson (averaged 2.7 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Howard University in 1988-89) caught three passes for 37 yards in a 14-0 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1996 NFC wild-card playoff game.

• Detroit Lions RB John Henry Johnson (made 5-of-8 FGAs in five games for Saint Mary's in 1950-51) rushed for 34 yards on seven carries and caught one pass for 16 yards in a 59-14 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1957 NFL championship game. Lions QB Jerry Reichow (Iowa hooper in 1954-55) threw a 16-yard touchdown pass.

• San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (Southern California hooper as junior in 1979-80) returned an interception 38 yards in 21-10 NFC divisional-round playoff win against the New York Giants in 1984.

• Houston Oilers QB Gifford Nielsen (Brigham Young swingman averaged 6.5 ppg and 2.7 rpg in 1973-74 and 1974-75) threw a go-ahead 47-yard touchdown pass to Mike Renfro in 17-14 AFC divisional playoff win against the San Diego Chargers in 1979.

• TE Marcus Pollard (JC transfer averaged 7.3 ppg and 5 rpg for Bradley in 1992-93 and 1993-94) caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Peyton Manning with 2:26 remaining in fourth quarter to give the Indianapolis Colts a 20-13 win against Jacksonville Jaguars in 2002 regular-season finale.

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as ill-informed GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick and his supporters spurring politicized multiple anthems and NFL funding anti-cop activist groups, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on December 27 in football at the professional level (especially by three individuals from Texas universities for Detroit Lions in 1953 championship contest):

DECEMBER 27

• Detroit Lions E Cloyce Box (combined with twin brother Boyce to help West Texas win Border Conference hoop championship in 1943) caught four passes for 54 yards in a 17-16 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1953 NFL championship contest. Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw a 33-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. Lions HB Doak Walker (Southern Methodist hoops letterman as freshman in 1945-46) opened game's scoring with a rushing TD.

• Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) rushed for 114 yards on 27 carries in 1964 NFL championship game (27-0 against Baltimore Colts). It was Brown's lone playoff win.

• Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg for Southern in 1969-70) contributed a game-long 28-yard pass reception and 15-yard touchdown catch from Ron Jaworski in 27-21 setback against the New York Giants in 1981 NFC wild-card playoff contest.

• Weeb Ewbank (hoops letterman for Miami OH in 1926-27 and 1927-28) coached the Baltimore Colts to a 31-16 victory against the New York Giants in 1959 NFL championship game. Colts DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES) had two interceptions - returning one 42 yards for a touchdown.

• Chicago Bears TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09) caught two touchdown passes in 41-17 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020.

• Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw two touchdown passes in a 21-14 divisional round playoff setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1970.

• Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught two touchdown passes from Joe Flacco for second straight week in 2009.

• Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw three touchdown passes in a 31-7 win against the Washington Redskins in 2003. Six years later, McNabb passed for 322 yards and three TDs in a 30-27 win against the Denver Broncos in 2009.

• San Francisco 49ers DB R.W. McQuarters (Oklahoma State hooper in 1995-96 and 1996-97 started two games) returned a punt 72 yards for touchdown in 38-19 win against the St. Louis Rams in 1998 season finale.

• New York Giants CB Jason Sehorn (averaged 12.5 ppg and 6 rpg for Shasta Community College CA in 1990-91) had four solo tackles and returned an interception 36 yards in 23-22 setback against the Minnesota Vikings in 1997 wild-card playoff game.

• Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught a 43-yard touchdown pass from John Elway in 42-17 AFC wild-card playoff win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1997. Jaguars rookie TE Damon Jones (averaged 3.9 ppg and 3.1 rpg for Southern Illinois in 1995-96 under coach Rich Herrin) delivered a 37-yard pass reception from Mark Brunell. The next year, Smith had nine pass receptions for 158 yards in a 28-21 win against the Seattle Seahawks in 1998 regular-season finale.

"And in the end it's not the years in your life that count; it's the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln

With Auld Lang Syne chords playing in background, the final week of calendar year offered another time to say goodbye by acknowledging the passing away in 2023 of a striking number of major-college basketball movers and shakers. Hall of Fame national titlist coaching luminaries Denny Crum and Bob Knight died this year, overshadowing additional deceased multiple-year NCAA tourney mentors such as Jim Brandenburg, Lou Campanelli, Gary Colson, Terry Holland, Joey Meyer, Fred Shabel and Paul Webb.

All-Americans from six different current Big Ten Conference members are in necrology category this year including Jim Ashmore (Mississippi State), Fred Boyd (Oregon State), Terry Dischinger (Purdue), Frank Ehmann (Northwestern), Johnny Green (Michigan State), Dick Groat (Duke), Frank Howard (Ohio State), Henry Logan (Western Carolina), Willie McCarter (Drake), George McGinnis (Indiana), Ryan Minor (Oklahoma), Eric Montross (North Carolina), Cotton Nash (Kentucky), James Ray (Jacksonville), Phil Sellers (Rutgers), Bingo Smith (Tulsa) and George Wilson (Cincinnati). Groat, Howard, Minor and Nash were such outstanding all-around athletes they went on to play at the MLB level. Knight was a huge baseball fan but he probably didn't know that among the former major-college hoopers dying this year after MLB careers were Leo Burke (Virginia Tech), Bill Davis (Minnesota), Dave Frost (Stanford), Bob Garibaldi (Santa Clara), Mel Roach (Virginia) and Dave Stenhouse (Rhode Island).

The versatile major-college hoopers passing away this year included prominent participants in NFL/Super Bowl championship games such as Jim Brown (Syracuse), Bud Grant (Minnesota) and Joe Kapp (California). A distant memory, the defunct Yankee Conference, was hit particularly hard in the obituary column upon losing numerous all-league selections from the early 1950s to late 1960s - Dick Ader, Dick Eid, John Fultz, Clyde Lord, Billy Pappas, Jim Poteet, Jack Rose, Bob Stairs and the aforementioned Stenhouse. They are among the following alphabetical list of deceased who usually didn't "drop the ball" at end of year in Times Square or on a court anywhere else:

• Richie Adderley was a Bahamian native who averaged 4.2 ppg, 1.5 rpg and 2.2 apg for Indiana State in 1986-87 and 1987-88.
• Dick Ader, 81, averaged 11 ppg for Vermont from 1960-61 through 1962-63. All-Yankee Conference second-team selection as a junior.
• Earl "Brother" Adkins, 89, averaged 4 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Kentucky from 1954-55 through 1957-58 (redshirt in 1955-56) under coach Adolph Rupp. As a senior, Adkins was the sixth-leading scorer for NCAA titlist.
• Harold Alcorn, 88, was a SMU transfer who averaged 14.2 ppg and 3.4 rpg for St. Louis from 1954-55 through 1956-57 under coach Eddie Hickey. As a senior, Alcorn was All-Missouri Valley Conference first-team selection for an NCAA tourney team. Father of Mark Alcorn, who played for St. Louis in 1977-78 and Louisiana State in 1979-80 before dying from cancer at the age of 23 in 1982.
• Albert Almanza, 86, averaged 11.9 ppg and 8 rpg for Texas from 1958-59 through 1960-61. All-SWC second-team selection as a senior when he led the Longhorns in rebounding for second time in three years. Mexican Olympian in 1960 and 1964 participated in 1960 NCAA playoffs.
• Al Andrews, 78, led Tulane in scoring all three seasons while averaging 18.7 ppg and 4.5 rpg from 1964-65 through 1966-67. He was the Green Wave's last All-SEC selection (second team as sophomore).
• Jim Ashmore, 88, was a three-time All-SEC selection who averaged 20.6 ppg and 4 rpg for Mississippi State from 1953-54 through 1956-57. All-American as a senior when finishing sixth in the nation in scoring with 28.3 ppg.
• Jim Babers, 89, averaged 11.4 ppg and 4.7 rpg for Texas Western from 1952-53 through 1955-56. He was an All-Border Conference first-team selection as a senior.
• Kenny Bailey, 75, averaged 2.9 ppg and 2 rpg for Arkansas in 1966-67.
• Mike Baker, 77, played for East Carolina in 1964-65 when the Pirates made transition to NCAA DI level.
• Charles Balentine, 60, averaged 7.9 ppg and 3.8 rpg while shooting 58.3% from the floor for Arkansas from 1981-82 through 1984-85 under coach Eddie Sutton. As a junior, Balentine hit the game-winning baseline jumper with four seconds remaining when the Hogs upended top-ranked and undefeated North Carolina in mid-February 1984.
• Coolidge Ball, 71, was a two-time All-SEC second-team selection who averaged 14.1 ppg and 9.9 rpg for Mississippi from 1971-72 through 1973-74. The Rebels' first African-American player led them in scoring (16.8 ppg) and was second in rebounding (10.3 rpg) as a sophomore. Instrumental in helping Ole Miss post three consecutive winning seasons for the first time since the late 1930s.
• Paul Ball, 72, averaged 8.5 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Colorado State from 1970-71 through 1972-73 under coach Jim Williams.
• Walter "Stan" Bane, 74, averaged 4.1 ppg for Pan American from 1969-70 through 1971-72.
• Dr. John Bannon, 77, averaged 1.5 ppg for Rutgers in 1964-65 and 1965-66 under coach Bill Foster.
• Jamal Barney, 37, averaged 2.4 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Providence in 2006-07 before transferring to Loyola (Md.), where he averaged 14.5 ppg and 4.7 rpg from 2008-09 through 2010-11. He was an All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference second-team selection as a sophomore when leading the league in scoring with 18.1 ppg.
• Ernie Barrett, 93, averaged 8.4 ppg for Kansas State from 1948-49 through 1950-51 under coach Jack Gardner. All-American and All-Big Seven Conference first-team selection as a senior when leading NCAA Tournament runner-up in scoring before becoming seventh pick overall in NBA draft.
• Dave Bartley, 88, was a juco recruit who averaged 6.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg and 3.3 apg for Massachusetts in 1954-55 and 1955-56.
• Gordon Bascom, 83, was a juco recruit who played for Weber State in 1964-65 under coach Dick Motta.
• Howie Bash, 89, averaged 8.5 ppg and 3.6 rpg for George Washington from 1956-57 through 1959-60.
• Bill Bauer, 95, averaged 3.3 ppg for Creighton in 1950-51 after serving in U.S. military during WWII.
• Ralph Bayard, 87, averaged 11.5 ppg and 2.9 rpg for Rutgers from 1954-55 through 1956-57. He was the Scarlet Knights' leading scorer each of his last two seasons.
• Parkie Beam, 77. was a member of Marshall's back-to-back NIT teams in 1967 and 1968.
• Roy "Ice" Beekman, 67, averaged 5.7 ppg and 2 rpg for Niagara from 1973-74 through 1977-78 (redshirt in 1976-77).
• Tim Beeman, 80, was a Maryland transfer who averaged 1.8 ppg and 2.8 rpg for Duquesne in 1963-64 and 1964-65.
• Stephen "Chuck" BeGell, 99, averaged 1.9 ppg for Maryland in 1950-51. He also played baseball for the Terrapins.
• Dr. Earl Bellamy Jr., 92, played for Rice in 1950-51 and 1951-52.
• Leon Benbow Jr., 74, averaged 17 ppg and 5 rpg for Jacksonville's three national postseason tournament teams from 1971-72 through 1973-74 (2 NIT/1 NCAA). He led the Dolphins in scoring as a senior.
• Ron Bennink, 89, averaged 14 ppg for Washington State from 1952-53 through 1954-55 under coach Jack Friel. Two-time All-PCC North Division first-team selection led the Cougars in scoring each of his last two seasons.
• Lance Blanks, 56, averaged 1.7 ppg for Virginia in 1985-86 and 1986-87 under coach Terry Holland before transferring to Texas, where he averaged 20 ppg, 5 rpg, 3.7 apg and 3 spg in 1988-89 and 1989-90 for a pair of Tom Penders-coached NCAA tourney teams. Blanks, a first-round choice in NBA draft (26th pick overall), committed suicide according to his daughter.
• John Blasingame, 83, averaged 3.2 ppg and 3.2 rpg for Arkansas in 1959-60 and 1960-61.
• Allan Bontempo, 90, played for Georgetown in 1952-53 before transferring to Seton Hall.
• Freddie Boyd, 73, was a senior All-American who averaged 15.3 ppg and 2.7 rpg for Oregon State from 1969-70 through 1971-72. Boyd was a two-time All-Pac-8 Conference selection while leading the Beavers in scoring and assists under coach Ralph Miller before becoming fifth pick overall in NBA draft.
• Blake Bozeman, 31, averaged 7.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg and 2 apg for Morgan State from 2011-12 through 2014-15 under his father (Todd Bozeman). Blake, who led the Bears in three-pointers as a senior, was killed in a shooting at a hookah lounge.
• James "Spook" Bradley, 67, was a juco transfer who averaged 16.5 ppg and 9.2 rpg for Memphis State from 1976-77 through 1978-79. Two-time All-Metro Conference first-team selection when leading the Tigers in scoring and rebounding average as junior and senior.
• Jim Brandenburg, 87, compiled a 254-213 coaching record in total of 16 seasons with Montana (27-28 in two years in 1976-77 and 1977-78), Wyoming (176-97 in nine years from 1978-79 through 1986-87) and San Diego State (52-87 in five years from 1987-88 through 1991-92.
• Bill Brown, 71, was a two-year captain who averaged 11 ppg and 5.9 rpg for Ohio University from 1971-72 through 1973-74, earning All-Mid-American Conference first-team honors as a senior. One of his players while coaching Kenyon OH was DI mentor Shaka Smart.
• Jim Brown, 87, averaged 13.1 ppg for Syracuse in 1954-55 (team runner-up in scoring as sophomore) and 1955-56. He was reluctant to specifically say why he quit hoops squad before his senior season when SU appeared in the NCAA tourney for first time, but indicated it was because of a racial quota for starters. His son, Jimmy, was a two-time All-MEAC first-team selection who played for three NCAA playoff squads with North Carolina A&T in the mid-1980s after transferring from Southern California. Brown was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection as a running back with the Cleveland Browns.
• Robert F. Brown, 85, played for Michigan in 1959-60.
• Roger Brown, 73, averaged 7.9 ppg and 8.1 rpg for Kansas from 1968-69 through 1970-71 under coach Ted Owens. As a senior, Brown was top rebounder for the Jayhawks' Final Four team.
• Doyle Brunson, 89, was runner-up in scoring with 12.5 ppg for 1953 NCAA tourney team from Hardin-Simmons TX as All-Border Conference first-team selection before his hoops career ended because of a summer job accident (leg broken in two places while unloading sheetrock). Two-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event champion, a Poker Hall of Fame inductee and the author of several books on poker.
• Leo Burke, 89, averaged 9.2 ppg for Virginia Tech in 1952-53 and 1953-54. He was a utilityman who hit .239 with the Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Angels, St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs in seven MLB seasons from 1958 through 1965.
• Justin Burns, 39, was a juco recruit who averaged 7.9 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Cal State Fullerton from 2004-05 through 2006-07. He committed suicide (suffocation by strangulation) in prison where he was serving a sentence for the murder of his ex-girlfriend in Las Vegas in 2010 (strangulation before taking her body to desert, setting it on fire and burying under rocks).
• Terrence Butler was a junior-to-be for Drexel who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his on-campus apartment. Forward appeared in eight games in his two seasons with the Dragons while struggling with injuries.
• Devin Butts, 22, played for three NCAA Division I schools - Mississippi State (1 ppg in 2019-20), Louisiana-Lafayette (6.4 ppg and 2 rpg in 2020-21) plus North Carolina Central (5.3 ppg in 2022-23).
• Willie Cager, 80, averaged 8.5 ppg and 5.3 rpg for Texas Western from 1965-66 through 1967-68 under coach Don Haskins. As a sophomore, Cager was the fourth-leading rebounder for the Miners' NCAA titlist.
• Jim Caldwell, 80, averaged 15 ppg and 12.9 rpg for Georgia Tech from 1962-63 through 1964-65 before becoming 28th pick overall in NBA draft. Two-time All-SEC second-team selection led the Yellow Jackets in scoring and rebounding all three seasons.
• Demetrius Calip Sr., 53, averaged 9.6 ppg, 1.9 rpg and 2 apg for Michigan from 1987-88 through 1990-91. Member of 1989 NCAA titlist was an All-Big Ten Conference second-team selection as senior when leading the Wolverines in scoring and assists.
• Lou Campanelli, 84, compiled a 361-226 coaching record in 21 seasons with James Madison (238-118 in 13 years from 1972-73 through 1984-85) and California (123-108 in eight years from 1985-86 to 1992-93). JMU's all-time winningest coach guided both schools to the NCAA tourney.
• Chris Carpenter, 82, averaged 4.8 ppg and 4 rpg for California from 1961-62 through 1963-64. As a sophomore, he was runner-up with the Bears in total rebounds.
• Jim Carrino, 82, averaged 13.9 ppg and 3.9 rpg for Georgetown from 1959-60 through 1961-62. He was runner-up in scoring average for the Hoyas all three seasons.
• Clarence "Marvin" Cave, 97, averaged 1.4 ppg for Butler in 1947-48 under coach Tony Hinkle after serving in U.S. Navy during WWII and transferring from Berea College KY.
• Hosea Champine, 66, averaged 4.7 ppg for Duquesne in 1974-75 before transferring to Robert Morris, where he averaged a team-high 17.6 ppg in 1978-79.
• Reggie Chaney, 23, averaged 4.8 ppg and 3.4 rpg for Arkansas in 2018-19 and 2019-20 before transferring to Houston, where he averaged 3.6 ppg and 2.6 rpg from 2020-21 through 2022-23 under coach Kelvin Sampson. As a senior graduate, he was the American Athletic Conference's Sixth Man of the Year. Participant in 2021 Final Four died from a fentanyl overdose.
• Bob Chapman, 67, averaged 13.3 ppg and 2.8 rpg for Michigan State from 1974-75 through 1977-78. Senior captain for the Spartans when Hall of Famer Magic Johnson was a freshman.
• George Chapman III, 75, averaged 5.5 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Cornell from 1966-67 through 1968-69.
• Walter "Clyde" Chronister, 96, was a juco recruit who scored 175 points as Tulsa's lone senior in 1947-48.
• Phil Cochran, 69, averaged 1.7 ppg for Mercer from 1973-74 through 1975-76.
• Marshall "Skip" Coffman Jr., 82, averaged 3.6 ppg and 2.2 rpg for Arkansas from 1959-60 through 1962-63 (redshirt in 1960-61).
• Otis Cole Jr., 71, averaged 9.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 2.5 apg for Florida State from 1971-72 through 1973-74 under coach Hugh Durham. The Seminoles were NCAA Tournament runner-up during Cole's sophomore season.
• Gary Colson, 89, compiled a 375-306 NCAA Division I coaching record in 24 DI seasons with Pepperdine (153-137 in 11 years from 1968-69 through 1978-79), New Mexico (146-106 in eight years from 1980-81 through 1987-88) and Fresno State (76-73 in five years from 1990-91 through 1994-95).
• Keith Colson, 88, was a juco recruit who averaged 6 ppg for New Mexico State in 1955-56.
• John Connell, 54, averaged 5.6 ppg and 3.4 rpg as starting senior center for Saint Peter's first NCAA tourney team in 1990-91.
• John "Jack" Coogan Jr., 87, was a Notre Dame transfer who averaged 2.1 ppg and 2.1 rpg for [Canisius](schools/canisius0 from 1954-55 through 1956-57. As a senior, he averaged 10 ppg in three NCAA playoff contests.
• Jim Cook III, 53, averaged 1.3 ppg for Colgate in 1990-91.
• Jerry Cooper, 87, averaged 10.2 ppg and 6.9 rpg for Virginia from 1954-55 through 1956-57. He led the Cavaliers in rebounding as a sophomore.
• Rich Coppola, 78, averaged 3.5 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Arizona State from 1963-64 through 1965-66 under coach Ned Wulk. As a sophomore, Coppola scored 13 points in a 92-90 defeat against Wayne Estes-led Utah State in West Regional.
• Edward "Ned" Corcoran, 96, scored a total of 199 points for Brown in 1948-49 and 1949-50.
• Charles "Corky" Cost, 87, averaged 3.1 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Pittsburgh in 1954-55. He was also a RB, who rushed 138 times for 631 yards and two touchdowns from 1954 through 1956.
• Adrian Coulter, 82, averaged 4.9 ppg and 4.2 rpg for East Tennessee State from 1959-60 through 1961-62.
• Tom Crosby, 87, averaged 1.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg for Alabama from 1954-55 through 1956-57.
• Johnny Crouch Jr., 91, converted all three free-throw attempts for Texas Christian in one game in 1952-53. WR went on to become an eighth-round choice by the Green Bay Packers in 1955 NFL draft.
• Denzil "Denny" Crum, 86, compiled a 675-295 coaching record with Louisville in 30 seasons from 1971-72 through 2000-01. The Cardinals' all-time winningest mentor reached NCAA Final Four six times (including national titles in 1980 and 1986). Juco recruit averaged 7.1 ppg and 2.7 rpg for UCLA in 1957-58 and 1958-59 under coach John Wooden.
• Mike Curran, 76, averaged 1.6 ppg and 1.3 rpg for Marquette from 1966-67 through 1968-69 under coach Al McGuire. Curran's father, Williams, played for MU the second half of the 1920s.
• Ralphal "Rap" Curry Jr., 51, averaged 12.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 5.4 apg and 1.8 spg for Saint Joseph's from 1990-91 through 1993-94. He led the Atlantic 10 Conference in assists as a senior.
• Frank Cutko, 90, averaged 9.9 ppg and 4.2 rpg for Muhlenberg PA from 1951-52 through 1953-54. He went on to referee Patrick Ewing's initial game at Georgetown and David Robinson's debut at Navy.
• Arthur "Bill" Davis, 80, averaged 6.4 ppg and 5 rpg for Minnesota from 1961-62 through 1963-64. First baseman hit .181 with the Cleveland Indians and San Diego Padres in three MLB seasons (1965-66-69).
• Dr. Tom Davis, 93, averaged 7.6 ppg for Penn in 1949-50 and 1950-51. He led the EIBL in free-throw accuracy in 1949-50.
• Walter Davis, 69, averaged 15.7 ppg and 5.6 rpg for North Carolina from 1973-74 through 1976-77 under coach Dean Smith. Davis, a member of 1976 U.S. Olympic team, was runner-up in scoring and rebounding for 1977 NCAA Tournament runner-up before becoming fifth pick overall in NBA draft.
• Henry Dickerson, 71, compiled a 119-171 NCAA Division I coaching record in 10 seasons with Chattanooga (72-73 in five years from 1997-98 through 2001-02) and North Carolina Central (47-98 in five years from 2004-05 through 2008-09).
• Dr. Terry Dischinger, 82, averaged 28.3 ppg and 13.7 rpg for Purdue from 1959-60 through 1961-62 while pacing the Boilermakers in scoring and rebounding all three years. Three-time All-American and All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection ranked among the nation's top seven scorers each season.
• Richard Duffy, 80, averaged 6.4 ppg and 1.4 rpg for Syracuse from 1962-63 through 1964-65. Two-year teammate of long-time Orange coach Jim Boeheim and All-American Dave Bing.
• Carroll "Wayne" Dunn, 88, averaged 5 ppg and 5.6 rpg for Arkansas from 1955-56 through 1957-58. As a senior, he was third-leading rebounder for the Razorbacks' only NCAA tourney team in a 27-year span from 1950 through 1976.
• John Dunnette, 89, played for Ohio University in 1952-53 and 1953-54.
• George Dupree Jr., 75, averaged 8.1 ppg and 2.7 rpg for Trinity TX in 1965-66 before transferring to Texas Southern.
• Ed Dwyer Jr., 92, was a juco recruit who averaged 1.3 ppg and 1.1 rpg for Drake in 1953-54 and 1954-55.
• Frank Ehmann, 89, averaged 13.6 ppg for Northwestern from 1951-52 through 1954-55. Two-time All-Big Ten Conference selection was an All-American as a senior when finishing 22nd in the nation in scoring (23.9 ppg) before becoming 32nd pick overall in NBA draft.
• Dick Eid, 89, averaged 11.2 ppg and 7.9 rpg for Massachusetts from 1953-54 through 1955-56. All-Yankee Conference first-team selection as a sophomore.
• Jamarcus Ellis, 38, was a juco recruit who averaged 6.8 ppg, 7 rpg, 3.4 apg and 1.5 spg for Indiana in 2007-08 under coach Kelvin Sampson before transferring to Oklahoma City.
• Steve Erwin, 70, averaged 5.7 ppg and 4.8 rpg for Nebraska from 1972-73 through 1974-75. He dished out a team-high 3.3 apg as a senior.
• Billy Evans, 75, averaged 10.1 ppg for three Bob Cousy-coached Boston College national postseason tournament teams from 1966-67 through 1968-69. Evans averaged more than 8 apg each of his last two seasons.
• Cecil Exum, 60, averaged 1.5 ppg for North Carolina from 1980-81 through 1983-84 under coach Dean Smith. Member of 1982 NCAA titlist. His Australian son, Dante, was an NBA first-round choice in 2014 (fifth pick overall).
• Matt Favaro, 34, was a walk-on for Colorado in 2008-09.
• Tom Flynn, 90, averaged more than 10 ppg with Idaho in 1952-53 and 1953-54. He was an All-PCC North Division second-team selection his final season.
• Chris Ford, 74, averaged 15.8 ppg and 6 rpg for Villanova's three NCAA tourney teams from 1969-70 through 1971-72 under coach Jack Kraft. Ford was a junior starter with 1971 NCAA playoff runner-up.
• Greg Francis, 48, averaged 13.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg and 2.3 apg for Fairfield from 1993-94 through 1996-97. All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference second-team selection as junior before becoming league tourney MVP the next year when helping the Stags reach NCAA tourney. Canadian Olympian in 2000.
• Joseph Frazier, 40, averaged 7.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.6 apg and 1.7 spg for Cal State Northridge from 2001-02 through 2004-05. He led the Matadors in steals as a sophomore.
• Bob Freeman, 73, averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.5 rpg for Army from 1968-69 through 1970-71 under coach Bob Knight. The Cadets participated in the NIT the first two of those seasons.
• Dave Frost, 70, was a juco recruit under coach Lute Olson. Frost, who averaged 10.5 ppg and 4 rpg for Stanford from 1971-72 through 1973-74 under coach Howie Dallmar, led the Cardinal in free-throw percentage as a sophomore (82.1%). He was a college teammate of center Rich Kelley, who went on to play 11 NBA seasons. Frost was a RHP who compiled a 33-37 MLB record and 4.10 ERA with the Chicago White Sox, California Angels and Kansas City Royals in six A.L. seasons from 1977 through 1982.
• John Fultz, 74, averaged 20.5 ppg and 9.7 rpg for Rhode Island from 1967-68 through 1969-70. All-Yankee Conference first-team selection each of his last two seasons when leading the Rams in scoring and rebounding.
• Bob Garibaldi, 81, averaged 10.6 ppg and 5.6 rpg for Santa Clara in 1961-62. Garibaldi was a RHP who compiled an 0-2 record and 3.08 ERA in four brief stints with the San Francisco Giants (1962-63-66-69) after named Most Outstanding Player in the 1962 College World Series.
• Ronnie Garner, 84, averaged 11.2 ppg and 7.2 rpg for Arkansas from 1958-59 through 1960-61. He led the Razorbacks in rebounding as a junior and senior.
• Joe Goodman Jr., 96, was a starter for Arizona State in 1945-46.
• Brock Gordon, 88, averaged 1.7 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Furman from 1953-54 through 1955-56 under coach Lyles Alley. As a sophomore, Gordon was a teammate of Frank Selvy when the All-American set NCAA single-game scoring record with 100 points against Newberry SC.
• Lavalius "L.C." Gordon, 86, averaged 2.4 ppg and 2.3 rpg for Oklahoma State from 1958-59 through 1960-61 under coach Hank Iba. Gordon was the first African-American player for a major-college program in Oklahoma.
• Harry "Bud" Grant Jr., 95, was Minnesota's third-leading scorer in 1948-49 (8.5 ppg) after named team MVP the previous season over first-team All-American Jim McIntyre. Finished 13th in the Big Nine Conference in scoring in 1946-47 with 9.3 ppg. Coach of four CFL champions with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1958-59-61-62) and four NFL Super Bowl losers with the Minnesota Vikings (IV, VIII, IX and XI). First-round choice by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1950 NFL draft caught 56 passes for 997 yards and seven touchdowns with them in 1952.
• Glen Green, 61, averaged 13.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.7 apg and 1.2 spg for Murray State from 1979-80 through 1982-83. Two-time All-Ohio Valley Conference first-team selection was the league's co-MVP as a senior.
• "Jumpin' Johnny" Green, 89, averaged 16.9 ppg and 16.4 rpg for Michigan State from 1956-57 through 1958-59 after serving with U.S. Marines during the Korean Conflict. Top rebounder for 1957 Final Four squad (All-NCAA Tournament team) before becoming an All-American his last two seasons. Three-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection was the sixth pick overall in 1959 NBA draft.
• Dick Groat, 92, averaged 23 ppg for Duke from 1949-50 through 1951-52. All-American each of his last two years when finishing among the nation's top five scorers. Placed runner-up in the country in assists with 7.6 per game as a senior. Eight-time N.L. All-Star shortstop hit .286 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies and San Francisco Giants in 14 seasons (1952 and 1955 through 1967).
• Calvin Grosscup Jr., 89, averaged 4.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg with Purdue in 1953-54 before transferring to Tulane, where he averaged 19.2 ppg and 10.5 rpg in 1955-56 and 1956-57 under coach Clifford Wells. Grosscup was an All-SEC second-team selection as a senior when leading the Green Wave in scoring and rebounding.
• Teddy Grubbs, 62, averaged 7.9 ppg and 3.9 rpg for DePaul's three NCAA Tournament teams from 1979-80 through 1981-82 under coach Ray Meyer.
• Cam Gunter, 31, averaged 1.1 ppg for Penn from 2010-11 through 2013-14.
• Dick Haag, 92, averaged 10.4 ppg for Wyoming from 1949-50 through 1951-52 under coach Everett Shelton, leading the Cowboys in rebounding each of his last two seasons. Haag was an All-Mountain States Athletic Conference second-team selection as junior before participating in NCAA playoffs for West Regional runner-up the next year.
• Joe Hagler, 87, averaged 2.5 ppg and 2.1 rpg for California from 1954-55 through 1956-57 under coach Pete Newell, appearing in NCAA tourney as a senior.
• Billy Hahn, 69, compiled a 79-99 coaching record in six seasons with Ohio University (42-45 in three years from 1986-87 through 1988-89) and La Salle (37-54 in three years from 2001-02 through 2003-04). He averaged 1.7 ppg and 0.9 apg for Maryland from 1972-73 through 1974-75 under coach Lefty Driesell.
• Burdette Haldorson, 89, averaged 15 ppg and 9.5 rpg for Colorado from 1951-52 through 1954-55. Leading scorer and rebounder as a senior for national third-place team. Two-time Olympic gold medalist (1956 and 1960).
• Harry Hammonds, 81, averaged 10.8 ppg and 8.4 rpg for Alabama from 1963-64 through 1965-66. He led the Crimson Tide in rebounding each of his last two seasons.
• Aaron Harper, 42, averaged 12.2 ppg, 4 rpg, 2.2 apg and 1.1 spg for Mississippi from 2000-01 through 2003-04.
• Jim Harrick Jr., 58, was a juco recruit who averaged 1.8 ppg and 2.2 apg for Pepperdine in 1985-86 and 1986-87 while playing under his father.
• Ed "Possum" Harvard, 78, averaged 1.1 ppg for West Virginia from 1965-66 through 1967-68. Harvard was among a WV quintet that was first group of black players breaking color barrier in the Southern Conference.
• Dan Heffernan, 94, played for Connecticut in the late 1940s under coach Hugh Greer.
• Cedric Henderson, 57, averaged 15.5 ppg and 7.1 rpg for Georgia as an All-SEC second-team selection in 1984-85. After declaring for NBA draft as an undergraduate, he was 32nd pick overall.
• Danny Hester, 75, was a juco recruit who averaged 13.2 ppg and 10 rpg for Louisiana State in 1968-69 and 1969-70 (All-SEC third-team selection). Teammate of NCAA's leading scorer Pete Maravich finished runner-up in rebounding for the Tigers in both seasons.
• Terry Holland, 80, compiled a 418-216 coaching record in a total of 21 seasons with alma mater Davidson (92-43 in five years from 1969-70 through 1973-74) and Virginia (326-173 in 16 years from 1974-75 through 1989-90). Coached the Cavaliers to 1980 NIT championship before reaching NCAA Final Four in 1981 and 1984. UVa's all-time winningest coach averaged 13.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in college under coach Lefty Driesell from 1961-62 through 1963-64 (All-Southern Conference second-team selection as senior).
• Phil Hopkins, 73, compiled a 65-76 coaching record with Western Carolina in five seasons from 1995-96 through 1999-00. He guided the Catamounts to the NCAA playoffs in his first season with them.
• Frank Howard, 87, averaged 17.4 ppg and 13.9 rpg for Ohio State from 1955-56 through 1957-58, earning All-American acclaim as a junior. Two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection ranked among the nation's top 28 rebounders all three seasons. OF-1B hit .273 with 382 homers and 1,119 RBI for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Washington Senators, Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers for 16 years from 1958 through 1973.
• Robert "Paul" Hudson, 77, averaged 2.6 ppg and 2.6 rpg for North Carolina State in 1965-66 and 1966-67 under coaches Press Maravich and Norm Sloan.
• Tom Hunt, 74, averaged 9.1 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Gonzaga from 1968-69 through 1970-71. He led the Big Sky Conference in free-throw accuracy as a senior (77%).
• Bill Hunter, 81, averaged 2.7 ppg for Princeton in 1961-62 and 1962-63.
• Brandon Hunter, 42, averaged 16.9 ppg and 9.3 rpg for Ohio University from 1999-00 through 2002-03. Three-time all-league first-team selection in the Mid-American Conference led the Bobcats in scoring and rebounding his last three seasons. He paced the nation in rebounding as a senior (12.6 rpg).
• Cedric Jenkins, 57, averaged 2.5 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Kentucky's four NCAA tourney teams from 1984-85 through 1987-88.
• Brandon Jessie, 48, was a juco recruit who averaged 15.1 ppg and 5.6 rpg for Utah's NCAA tourney teams in 1994-95 and 1995-96 under coach Rick Majerus. Jessie was an All-WAC selection both seasons as runner-up in scoring for the Utes behind All-American Keith Van Horn.
• Anthony Johnson, 37, was a juco recruit who averaged 18.4 ppg, 3 rpg and 3 apg for Montana in 2008-09 and 2009-10 under coach Wayne Tinkle. Two-time All-Big Sky Conference first-team selection led the Grizzlies in scoring and assists both seasons. He holds the school and Big Sky Tournament single-game scoring record with 42 points.
• Eddie Johnson, 61, averaged 8.1 ppg and 4.9 rpg for Xavier from 1981-82 through 1985-86 (redshirt in 1983-84). He played for two NCAA tourney teams including his senior season when leading the Musketeers in rebounding.
• Cam Jones, 29, was a juco recruit who averaged 11.5 ppg and 3.6 rpg for Radford in 2014-15 and 2015-16, leading the Highlanders in scoring as a senior.
• Billy Jordan, 60, averaged 4.3 ppg for Arizona State from 1981-82 through 1984-85.
• Charles Jordan, 69, averaged 15.6 ppg and 10.3 rpg for Canisius in 1973-74 and 1974-75. He led the Golden Griffins in rebounding his second season.
• Bill Justus, 76, averaged 15.1 ppg and 5.1 rpg for Tennessee from 1966-67 through 1968-69 under coach Ray Mears. Two-time All-SEC selection led the Volunteers in scoring each of his last two seasons.
• Joe Kapp, 85, averaged 1.8 ppg and 1.2 rpg for California's PCC championship clubs in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under coach Pete Newell. Only QB to start in the Rose Bowl, Grey Cup and Super Bowl finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting in 1958. Member of CFL Hall of Fame was a Pro Bowl selection in 1969 with the Minnesota Vikings.
• Charlie Kehrt, 85, averaged 4.5 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Purdue from 1956-57 through 1958-59.
• Floyd Kerr, 76, averaged 13 ppg and 5.9 rpg for Colorado State from 1966-67 through 1968-69 under coach Jim Williams. He led the Rams in scoring average as a junior and helped propel them to Midwest Regional final as a senior. Twin brother of CSU teammate Lloyd Kerr was the 30th pick overall in 1969 NBA draft.
• Richard Kiernan, 88, averaged 1.8 ppg for Connecticut in 1954-55 and 1955-56 under coach Hugh Greer.
• Dave Kissinger, 84, was a juco recruit who became an All-Border Conference first-team selection for Hardin-Simmons TX in 1960-61 when averaging 21 ppg.
• Bob Knight, 83, was a four-time national coach of the year who compiled an 899-374 record in 42 seasons with Army (102-50 in six years from 1965-66 through 1970-71), Indiana (659-242 in 29 years from 1971-72 through 1999-00) and Texas Tech (138-82 in seven years from 2001-02 to 2007-08). Reached Final Four five times (1973-76-81-87-92) and NIT semifinals on six occasions (1966-69-70-79-85 and 2003). Winningest coach in Big Ten Conference history also holds same distinction for IU. Averaged 3.8 ppg and 2.1 rpg with Ohio State from 1959-60 through 1961-62 under coach Fred Taylor.
• Dennis Kramer, 31, averaged 6.8 ppg and 4 rpg for San Diego from 2010-11 through 2013-14. He led the Toreros in rebounding as a senior.
• Jerry Krause, 87, compiled a 16-37 NCAA Division I coaching record for Eastern Washington in 1983-84 and 1984-85 when school made transition to DI level after 15 previous non-DI seasons with him at helm.
• Hartly Kruger, 92, averaged 13.4 ppg and 7.2 rpg for Idaho in 1951-52 and 1952-53 while earning All-PCC North Division honors.
• Terry Kusnierz, 75, averaged 8.9 ppg and 7.8 rpg for Mississippi State from 1971-72 through 1973-74. He led the Bulldogs in rebounding as a sophomore with 12 rpg before becoming senior captain.
• Bill Landers Sr., 87, averaged 1.5 ppg for Clemson in 1954-55 and 1956-57.
• Randy Larson, 67, played for Iowa State in 1976-77.
• Doug "Cowboy" Little, 72, averaged 12.9 ppg and 5.8 rpg for Oregon from 1970-71 through 1972-73. Two-time team MVP led the Ducks in scoring and rebounding as a junior before earning All-Pac-8 Conference second-team honors as a senior.
• Kent Lockhart, 59, averaged 8.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg and 2.3 apg for Texas-El Paso from 1981-82 through 1984-85 under coach Don Haskins. Lockhart appeared in the NCAA tourney each of his last two seasons.
• Henry Logan, 77, averaged 30.8 ppg and 6 rpg for Western Carolina from 1964-65 through 1967-68. All-American as a senior when leading NAIA in scoring with 36.2 ppg.
• Ed Long, 96, was an Arizona State starter from 1946-47 through 1948-49.
• Dr. Clyde Lord Sr., 85, averaged 19.5 ppg for Vermont as an All-Yankee Conference first-team selection each season from 1956-57 through 1958-59. He was team captain as a junior.
• Johnny Lujack, 98, averaged 3.4 ppg for Notre Dame as a starting guard in 1943-44. Heisman Trophy winner in 1947 after his three years as quarterback helped the Irish win a national championship each season and a 26-1-1 record overall. First-round choice of the Chicago Bears in 1946 played QB, DB and K for them from 1948 through 1951, leading club in scoring all four years. He intercepted a team-high eight passes as a rookie and holds the franchise record for most passing yards in a single game with 468 in a 1949 contest.
• Eddie Lumpkin, 73, played for Alabama in 1968-69 and 1969-70 under coach C.M. Newton.
• Brendan Malone, 81, compiled a 17-39 coaching record for Rhode Island in two seasons in 1984-85 and 1985-86.
• Rudy Marisa, 89, averaged 8.5 ppg for Penn State from 1953-54 through 1955-56. As a sophomore, he was a teammate of All-American Jesse Arnelle with the Nittany Lions' only Final Four team.
• Edward Martin III, 84, averaged 7.4 ppg and 9.6 rpg for Connecticut's three NCAA tourney teams from 1957-58 through 1959-60 under coach Hugh Greer. Martin led the Huskies in rebounding as a junior.
• James Mastaglio, 47, averaged 6.4 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Princeton from 1994-95 through 1997-98. He participated in NCAA tourney each of his last three years.
• Don Matuszak, 87, averaged 7.2 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Kansas State from 1956-57 through 1958-59 under coach Tex Winter. Member of 1958 Final Four squad before becoming an All-Big Eight Conference first-team selection as a senior.
• Willie McCarter, 76, averaged 19.8 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Drake from 1966-67 through 1968-69 under coach Maury John. All-American as a senior when he was named to All-NCAA Tournament team as leading scorer for national third-place finisher. McCarter compiled a 33-48 record as Detroit's coach in three seasons from 1979-80 through 1981-82.
• George McGinnis, 73, led the Big Ten Conference in scoring and rebounding as all-league first-team selection while averaging 30 ppg, 14.7 rpg and 2.8 apg for Indiana in 1970-71. All-American ranked fourth in the nation in scoring and 18th in rebounding. He left college as an undergraduate to sign with the ABA's Indiana Pacers shortly before Bob Knight became IU's coach.
• Walt McGrory, 24, played for Wisconsin from 2017-18 to 2020-21. He made a three-point field goal against Oregon in 2019 South Regional defeat.
• George McLeod, 92, averaged 14.8 ppg for Texas Christian from 1949-50 through 1951-52 under coach Buster Brannon. McLeod, a two-time All-SWC first-team selection, participated in NCAA tourney as a senior when leading the Horned Frogs in scoring.
• Jerry Messick, 82, attended Houston before transferring to Iowa, where he averaged 8.1 ppg and 4.5 rpg in 1961-62 and 1962-63.
• Joseph "Joey" Meyer, 74, averaged 16.4 ppg and 2.9 rpg for DePaul from 1968-69 through 1970-71 under coach Ray Meyer, leading the Blue Demons in scoring as a senior. Joey succeeded his Hall of Fame father as bench boss, compiling a 231-158 record in 13 seasons from 1984-85 through 1996-97. He guided his alma mater to the NCAA playoffs his first five years as mentor and seven of first eight campaigns.
• Bruce Michelsen, 89, averaged 1.8 ppg and 1.1 rpg for Virginia in 1957-58 and 1959-60 after serving in U.S. Navy.
• John Milhoan, 84, averaged 16.3 ppg and 6.3 rpg for Marshall from 1957-58 through 1959-60. Two-time All-Mid-American Conference selection led the Thundering Herd in scoring as a senior.
• Guy Minnifield, 62, averaged 5.8 ppg and 1.4 apg with Iowa State in 1979-80 before transferring to Morehead State, where he averaged 13.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 3.3 apg and 1.8 spg from 1981-82 through 1983-84. Two-time All-Ohio Valley Conference second-team selection participated in back-to-back NCAA tourneys. He led the OVC in assists and steals as a junior.
• Ryan Minor, 49, averaged 16.5 ppg and 6.5 rpg for Oklahoma from 1992-93 through 1995-96 under coach Kelvin Sampson. Two-time All-American was Big Eight Conference Player of the Year as a junior. 3B with the Baltimore Orioles replaced Cal Ripken Jr. in their lineup on September 20, 1998, ending Ripken's MLB record of 2,632 consecutive games played.
• Eric Montross, 52, averaged 11.7 ppg and 6.8 rpg while shooting 58.5% from the floor for North Carolina from 1990-91 through 1993-94 under coach Dean Smith. Two-time All-American was leading scorer and second-leading rebounder for 1993 NCAA Tournament champion before becoming ninth pick overall in 1994 NBA draft.
• Dwight "Red" Morrison, 91, was a two-time All-PCC North Division second-team selection for Idaho in 1952-53 and 1953-54 before becoming 14th pick overall in NBA draft.
• Gene Morse, 85, averaged 8.4 ppg and 6.5 rpg for Bradley from 1956-57 through 1958-59 under coach Chuck Orsborn. As a sophomore, Morse was the third-leading scorer and rebounder for NIT titlist.
• John Nacincik, 89, was a U.S. Navy veteran who averaged 9.5 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Maryland from 1955-56 through 1957-58 before All-ACC second-team selection became 22nd pick overall in NBA draft.
• Charles "Cotton" Nash, 80, was a three-time All-American who averaged 22.7 ppg and 12.3 rpg for Kentucky from 1961-62 through 1963-64 under coach Adolph Rupp. Nash led UK in scoring and rebounding all three seasons. 1B went 3-for-16 (.188) in three brief stints with the Chicago White Sox (1967) and Minnesota Twins (1969 and 1970).
• Garry Nelson, 73, averaged 12.8 ppg and 9.6 rpg for Duquesne from 1968-69 through 1970-71, leading the Dukes in rebounding each of his first two seasons. He combined with twin brother Barry to help them make three national postseason tournament appearances (two NCAA/one NIT).
• Bobby Noland, 69, averaged 3.2 ppg and 4.1 rpg for Kansas State from 1972-73 through 1975-76 under coach Jack Hartman. Noland participated in the NCAA tourney as a junior.
• Marty Norville, 83, played for Loyola of Chicago in the early 1960s under coach George Ireland.
• Francis "Fran" O'Malley, 88, averaged 8.5 ppg and 8 rpg for La Salle from 1953-54 through 1955-56. He was among the Explorers' top seven scorers with 1954 NCAA titlist and 1955 national runner-up before leading them in scoring and rebounding as a senior.
• Billy Packer, 82, averaged 14.8 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Wake Forest from 1959-60 through 1961-62. He was an All-ACC first-team selection as a junior before finishing runner-up in scoring to All-American Len Chappell on the Demon Deacons' national third-place finisher as a senior. Son of 16-year Lehigh coach Tony Packer was a long-time NBC and CBS television analyst.
• John Papcun, 84, averaged 11 ppg and 7 rpg for Toledo in 1958-59 and 1959-60 (All-Mid-American Conference second-team selection).
• Billy Pappas, 89, averaged 18.1 ppg for New Hampshire from 1951-52 through 1954-55 (redshirt in 1953-54). Two-time All-Yankee Conference first-team selection in hoops also played QB.
• Carl "KR" Pierpoint, 98, was an All-Big Seven Conference second-team selection for Missouri as a senior in 1948-49 after serving in U.S. Navy during WWII.
• Jan Post, 55, was a 7-0 center on Temple's 1991 East Regional finalist coached by John Chaney.
• Jim Poteet, 89, averaged 13.9 ppg, 5 rpg and 5.3 apg for New Hampshire as an All-Yankee Conference second-team selection in 1951-52 before transferring to Ball State, where he averaged 4.6 ppg in 1954-55.
• Cincinnatus "Cincy" Powell, 80, was a Louisiana native who averaged 15.2 ppg and 9.5 rpg for Portland from 1962-63 through 1964-65.
• Ernest "Dickie" Prater Jr., 92, averaged 10.6 ppg for South Carolina in 1957-58 and 1958-59. He played his freshman season with Kentucky in the early 1950s before serving a four-year stint in U.S. Air Force.
• John Ptacek, 83, averaged 5.8 ppg and 3.3 rpg for Iowa State from 1959-60 through 1961-62.
• John "Jack" Rafferty Sr., 84, averaged 4.1 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Georgetown in 1957-58 before transferring to St. Joseph's.
• James Ray, 66, was a three-time All-Sun Belt Conference first-team selection who averaged 14.5 ppg and 7.2 rpg for Jacksonville from 1976-77 through 1979-80. All-American and league MVP as a senior was the fifth pick overall in NBA draft.
• David Redmon, 50, averaged 6.5 ppg for UALR in 1990-91 before transferring to Valparaiso, where he averaged 17.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.4 apg and 1.2 spg from 1992-93 through 1994-95. Two-time All-Mid-Continent Conference first-team selection was league MVP as a senior.
• Willis Reed, 80, averaged 18.7 ppg and 15.2 rpg while shooting 59.7% from the floor for Grambling from 1960-61 through 1963-64 before becoming 10th pick overall in NBA draft. He compiled a 52-65 coaching record with Creighton in four seasons from 1981-82 through 1984-85.
• Bill Reeves, 88, averaged 7.6 ppg and 10.7 rpg for Arizona from 1954-55 through 1956-57 under coach Fred Enke. Two-year captain when leading the Wildcats in rebounding set existing school single-season record with 13.2 rpg as a junior.
• Bill Reynolds, 78, averaged 14.9 ppg and 2.9 rpg for Brown from 1965-66 through 1967-68, finishing his career as the school's seventh-leading career scorer. He led the Bears in scoring as a junior and senior. Longtime sports columnist for the Providence Journal authored books about Big East Conference, Bob Cousy, Rick Pitino, Chris Herren (Basketball Junkie) and memoir Glory Days.
• John Calhoun "J.C." Calhoun Jr., 85, averaged 1.8 ppg for Furman from 1956-57 through 1958-59 under coach Lyles Alley.
• Morris "Moe" Rivers, 70, was a juco recruit who averaged 12.5 ppg and 3 rpg for North Carolina State in 1973-74 and 1974-75 under coach Norm Sloan. Rivers was fourth-leading scorer with 1974 NCAA Tournament champion.
• Mel Roach, 90, averaged 9.3 ppg for Virginia in 1952-53, playing in the contest when William & Mary's Bill Chambers grabbed an NCAA-record 51 rebounds. Roach was a MLB bonus-baby utilityman who hit .238 with the Milwaukee Braves, Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies in eight N.L. seasons in 1953, 1954 and 1957 through 1962.
• Danny Roberts, 88, compiled a 67-92 coaching record with Campbell in the school's first six seasons at the NCAA Division I level from 1977-78 through 1982-83. He is the Camels' all-time winningest mentor (235 victories) after beginning his career with them in 1968-69.
• James Rogers, 72, averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.8 rpg for Purdue from 1969-70 through 1971-72 under coach George King.
• Lorenzo "A.J." Rollins, 49, averaged 9.3 ppg and 4.9 rpg for Saint Mary's from 1992-93 through 1996-97 (medical redshirt in 1995-96). He led the Gaels in rebounding in 1992-93 and participated in 1997 NCAA tourney.
• Jon "Jack" Rose, 85, averaged 14.5 ppg and 4.9 rpg for Connecticut's three NCAA tourney teams from 1957-58 through 1959-60 under coach Hugh Greer. Rose was the Huskies' top scorer as a sophomore and junior.
• Paul "Herky" Rubincam Jr., 89, averaged 9.5 ppg and 4.1 rpg for Penn in 1954-55 and 1958-59. His college career was interrupted by serving in U.S. Army.
• Randy Saal, 78, played for Purdue in 1966-67 under coach George King.
• Francis "Frank" Saier, 78, averaged 5.2 ppg and 5.3 rpg for Furman in 1964-65 under coach Lyles Alley before transferring to Florida to concentrate on track and field. In 1968, Saier became the first SEC high-jumper to clear 7 feet.
• Bob Sassone, 91, averaged 11.2 ppg for St. Bonaventure from 1950-51 through 1952-53. As a sophomore and junior, he was the top scorer for the Bonnies' first two national postseason tournament participants in NIT.
• Dave Schuff, 92, was a juco recruit who averaged 9.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg and 3 apg as an All-Border Conference second-team selection for Arizona's first NCAA tourney team in 1951.
• John "Jack" Schulte, 69, averaged 8.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg for Arkansas from 1972-73 through 1975-76. He was the Razorbacks' third-leading rebounder as a sophomore and junior.
• Phil Sellers, 69, averaged 21 ppg and 9.8 rpg for Rutgers from 1972-73 through 1975-76 under coach Tom Young, leading team in scoring and rebounding each of his last three seasons. Sellers was an All-American as a senior when the Scarlet Knights entered the Final Four unbeaten.
• Fred Shabel, 90, compiled a 72-29 coaching record (.713) with Connecticut in four seasons from 1963-64 through 1966-67, participating in three NCAA tourneys. He averaged 3.5 ppg and 1.2 rpg for Duke from 1951-52 through 1953-54 under coach Harold Bradley.
• Steve Showers, 40, played for Drexel in 2001-02 and 2002-03 under coach Bruiser Flint.
• Wayne Sims, 54, averaged 9.5 ppg and 5.2 rpg for Louisiana State's four NCAA tourney teams from 1987-88 through 1990-91 under coach Dale Brown. His son, Wayde, also attended LSU prior to murder of him as active player was slated to commence fall practice in 2018.
• Andre Smith, 64, was Nebraska's leading scorer and All-Big Eight Conference selection his last three seasons. Smith averaged 15.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg and 2 apg plus shooting 58.6% from the floor from 1977-78 through 1980-81. League Player of the Year as a senior paced the Huskers in rebounding his final two campaigns.
• Gerard "Jerry" Smith, 96, was the first player in Fordham history to reach 1,000 career points. He led the Rams in scoring as a senior in 1948-49 with 12.1 ppg after averaging 14.5 ppg the previous season.
• Lee Smith, 89, averaged 2 ppg for Georgetown in 1951-52.
• Robert "Bingo" Smith, 77, averaged 17.8 ppg and 9.5 rpg for Tulsa from 1966-67 through 1968-69. All-American and All-Missouri Valley Conference first-team selection as senior before becoming sixth pick overall in NBA draft.
• Dick Soergel, 85, averaged 8.5 ppg and 4.9 for Oklahoma State in 1958-59 as teammate of Eddie Sutton under coach Hank Iba. Soergel was QB in win against Florida State in 1958 Bluegrass Bowl and winning pitcher in 1959 College World Series championship game vs. Arizona.
• Felton Spencer, 55, averaged 8.7 ppg and 5.2 rpg while shooting 62.8% from the floor for Louisville from 1986-87 through 1989-90 under coach Denny Crum. He was an All-Metro Conference first-team selection as a senior when setting existing school single-season record for field-goal shooting (68.1%) before becoming sixth pick overall in NBA draft. He played with NCAA tourney teams each of his last three years.
• Bob Stairs, 92, averaged 7 ppg for Rhode Island from 1953-54 through 1955-56 after serving in U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. All-Yankee Conference second-team selection as a senior.
• Bob Stakem, 97, was a two-year letterman for West Virginia in the mid-1940s, participating in the 1945 NIT.
• Dave Stenhouse, 90, was a three-time All-Yankee Conference selection for Rhode Island while averaging 13.1 ppg from 1951-52 through 1954-55. An American League All-Star RHP as a rookie, Stenhouse compiled a 16-28 record in three MLB seasons from 1962 through 1964. His son, Mike, was a big league OF-1B with three different franchises in the mid-1980s after playing hoops for Harvard in 1977-78.
• Joe Stevens, 86, averaged 16.6 ppg and 3.9 rpg for Wichita from 1955-56 through 1957-58 under coach Ralph Miller. Stevens was a three-time All-Missouri Valley Conference selection who led the Shockers in scoring each of his last two seasons.
• Roger "Keith" Thomas, 79, averaged 12.3 ppg and 2.9 rpg for Vanderbilt from 1963-64 through 1965-66 under coach Roy Skinner. Thomas was an All-SEC first-team selection as a senior when finishing runner-up in scoring to All-American Clyde Lee for a Top 10 team.
• Ramon Trice, 56, averaged 1.1 ppg for Fresno State's NIT team in 1984-85 before transferring back home to St. Louis, where he averaged 3.8 ppg, 1.1 rpg and 1.7 apg with the Billikens in 1986-87 and 1987-88.
• David Turbridy, 79, played for Providence in the mid-1960s.
• Gary Turner, 80, was a juco recruit who averaged 20.2 ppg and 12.3 rpg for Texas Christian from 1963-64 through 1965-66. Three-time All-SWC selection led the Horned Frogs in scoring and rebounding each season before becoming 28th pick overall in NBA draft.
• Denis Vollom, 81, averaged 3.3 ppg and 2 rpg for California as a starting guard much of 1961-62.
• Stanley "Whitey" Von Nieda Jr., 101, played for Penn State in 1942-43 before serving in U.S. Army as a paratrooper during WWII.
• Dickie Walker, 75, averaged 15 ppg and 5.8 rpg for Wake Forest from 1967-68 through 1969-70 under coach Jack McCloskey. Walker led the Demon Deacons in scoring as a sophomore before finishing runner-up each of his last two seasons.
• Dan Waterstradt, 37, averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.9 rpg for Rutgers in 2004-05 and 2005-06 before transferring to Oakland, where he averaged 5.2 ppg and 4.9 rpg in 2007-08 and 2008-09.
• Paul Webb, 94, compiled a 196-99 coaching record with Old Dominion in 10 seasons from 1975-76 through 1984-85. Webb directed ODU to a 22-game winning streak in the Monarchs' first season at NCAA Division I level in 1976-77. He guided them to three DI tourney appearances during the first half of 1980s.
• Don Wetzel Sr., 74, averaged 9.2 ppg and 2.2 rpg for Montana from 1968-69 through 1970-71. Known as "Soaring Eagle," he was co-founder of the state's Indian Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.
• Bob Wheeler, 94, was an All-PCC North Division second-team selection for Idaho in 1950-51 when averaging 8.2 ppg and 6.8 rpg.
• Charlie White, 85, was a four-year Army veteran and juco recruit who led Oregon State in rebounding (7 rpg) as a junior in 1964-65. The next year as a first-five pick on All-AAWU team, the school's first African-American hooper on scholarship was the Beavers' captain and second-leading scorer (11.7 ppg) and rebounder (6.6 rpg), pacing the team in field-goal shooting (49.4%) and free-throw shooting (81.4%).
• Gerald White, 58, averaged 7.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 5.1 apg and 1.3 spg for Auburn's four NCAA tourney teams from 1983-84 through 1986-87. White, the school's career assists leader, was a freshman teammate of All-American Charles Barkley on the school's first playoff squad.
• Pete White, 89, averaged 10.7 ppg for West Virginia from 1951-52 through 1954-55. He was an All-Southern Conference second-team selection as senior co-captain and leading rebounder (12 rpg) of school's first-ever NCAA tourney team (coached by Fred Schaus).
• Dedric Willoughby, 49, averaged 8.4 ppg and 2.2 rpg for New Orleans in 1992-93 and 1993-94 before transferring with coach Tim Floyd to Iowa State, where Willoughby averaged 19.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg and 2.3 apg in 1995-96 and 1996-97. All-Big 12 Conference first-team selection as a senior.
• George Wilson, 81, averaged 13.2 ppg and 10.4 rpg for Cincinnati from 1961-62 through 1963-64 under coach Ed Jucker. Member of 1962 NCAA titlist, 1963 national runner-up (named to All-NCAA Tournament team) and 1964 U.S. Olympic team. Two-time All-Missouri Valley Conference first-team selection was an All-American as junior. Territorial pick by Cincinnati Royals in 1964 NBA draft.
• Tom Wilson, 53, played for Bradley in 1990-91 under coach Stan Albeck before transferring to SIU-Edwardsville.
• Rob Yanders, 44, was a juco recruit who averaged 10.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg and 3.1 apg for Southwest Missouri State in 2000-01 and 2001-02.
• Edward "Skip" Young, 74, averaged 11.7 ppg and 3.3 rpg for Florida State from 1968-69 through 1970-71 under coach Hugh Durham. As a sophomore, Young led the Seminoles in assists (6 apg) and was runner-up to All-American Dave Cowens in scoring (15 ppg). He was later known as Ahmad Aliyy.
• Bob Ziegler, 79, averaged 12.7 ppg and 4.9 rpg for Iowa State from 1963-64 through 1965-66. All-Big Eight Conference second-team selection as a junior. He pitched two years in the Minnesota Twins' farm system, compiling a 3-1 record and 5.40 ERA in 1966 and 1967.

NECROLOGY FROM PREVIOUS 11 YEARS

2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as ill-informed GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick and his supporters spurring politicized multiple anthems and NFL funding anti-cop activist groups, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on December 24 in football at the professional level (especially in 1950 NFL championship contest and 1961 AFL title tilt):

DECEMBER 24

• Buffalo Bills WR Don Beebe (Aurora College IL junior varsity hooper in 1983-84) caught eight passes for 111 yards in a 10-9 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in 1994 regular-season finale.

• Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg for Southern in 1969-70) caught five passes - opening game's scoring with 13-yard touchdown reception from Ron Jaworski - in 14-13 setback against the Atlanta Falcons in 1978 NFC wild-card playoff contest.

• Miami Dolphins WR Chris Chambers (played briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 24-10 win against the Tennessee Titans in 2005.

• Atlanta Falcons LB Marcus Cotton (converted one free throw with Southern California in 1986-87 under coach George Raveling) contributed two sacks for the second time in last three games of 1989 season.

• Los Angeles Rams rookie RB Glenn Davis (Army hooper in 1944-45 and 1945-46) opened 1950 NFL championship game's scoring with an 82-yard touchdown pass from Bob Waterfield in 30-28 setback against the Cleveland Browns. Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) completed 22-of-33 passes for 298 yards and four TDs while chipping with 99 rushing yards.

• Oakland Raiders TE Rickey Dudley (averaged 13.3 ppg and 7.5 rpg as senior in 1994-95 when leading Ohio State in rebounding and finishing third in scoring) caught two touchdown passes from Rich Gannon in a 52-9 win against the Carolina Panthers in 2000.

• Dallas Cowboys CB Cornell Green (Utah State's all-time leading scorer and rebounder when career ended in 1961-62) returned an interception 60 yards for touchdown in a 50-14 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1967 Eastern Conference playoff game.

• San Diego Chargers SS Rodney Harrison (averaged 7.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3 apg and 1.6 spg for Western Illinois in 1992-93) intercepted two passes - returning one 63 yards for touchdown - in a 34-21 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2000.

• San Diego Chargers rookie WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught two touchdown passes from Philip Rivers in a 20-7 win against the Seattle Seahawks in 2006.

• Chicago Bears DB R.W. McQuarters (Oklahoma State hooper in 1995-96 and 1996-97 started two games) returned an interception 61 yards for touchdown in 23-20 win against the Detroit Lions in 2000.

• Seattle Seahawks TE Pete Metzelaars (averaged 19.2 ppg and 11.4 rpg for Wabash IN while setting NCAA Division III field-goal shooting records for single season as senior in 1981-82 and career) had a five-yard touchdown reception in 31-7 wild-card playoff win against the Denver Broncos in 1983.

• Carolina Panthers DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) had three sacks in a 24-20 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 2005.

• Baltimore Colts WR Freddie Scott (averaged 5.3 ppg as sophomore forward for Amherst MA in 1971-72) had two pass receptions for 45 yards from Bert Jones in a 37-31 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1977 AFC divisional-round playoff game.

• Houston Oilers RCB Greg Stemrick (played in two basketball games for Colorado State in 1973-74) intercepted a pass in 17-9 win against the Miami Dolphins in 1978 AFC wild-card game.

• New York Jets DE Marvin Washington (played in 1985 NCAA Tournament with UTEP under Don Haskins before averaging 2.9 ppg and 5.7 rpg for Idaho in 1987-88 under Tim Floyd) had an interception in 24-10 setback against the Houston Oilers in 1994 season finale.

• San Diego Chargers rookie DB Bud Whitehead (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.5 rpg in 15 games for Florida State in 1959-60) had two interceptions in a 10-3 setback against the Houston Oilers in 1961 AFL championship contest.

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as ill-informed GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick and his supporters spurring politicized multiple anthems and league funding anti-cop activist groups, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on December 23 in football at the professional level (especially Wake Forest's Bill Hull going from Final Four to AFL championship game in same year in 1962):

DECEMBER 23

• Neill Armstrong (played one game under legendary Oklahoma A&M coach Hank Iba in 1944) coached the Chicago Bears to a 27-17 wild-card playoff game setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1979. Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught two touchdown passes from Ron Jaworski, finishing contest with game highs of six receptions and 111 receiving yards.

• Oakland Raiders WR Ronald Curry (averaged 4.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 3 apg for North Carolina in 1998-99 and 2000-01) caught 11 passes in a 20-9 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2006. It was Curry's third consecutive contest with at least eight receptions.

• Washington Redskins LB London Fletcher (started two games for St. Francis PA as freshman in 1993-94 before transferring to John Carroll OH) had an interception for third consecutive contest and chipped in with 10 tackles in 27-20 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2012.

• Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught 10 passes for 137 yards in a 25-20 setback against the Detroit Lions in 2007.

• Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw two touchdown passes in a 34-16 divisional playoff win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1973.

• Los Angeles Rams rookie Norb Hecker (four-sport letterman including hoops with Baldwin-Wallace OH) had a game-saving tackle in a 24-17 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1951 NFL championship contest. Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting center for Michigan hoops in 1944) caught four passes for 66 yards.

• Dallas Cowboys DB Manny Hendrix (All-WAC second-team selection for Utah as senior in 1985-86 averaged 12.1 ppg and team-high 5.1 apg as sophomore) had an interception in 17-3 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1990.

• Dallas Texans rookie DE Bill Hull (forward for Wake Forest squad finishing third in 1962 NCAA Tournament averaged 6.5 ppg and 7.3 rpg in two varsity seasons) returned an interception 23 yards to help set up game-winning field goal in overtime in 20-17 win against the Houston Oilers in 1962 AFL championship game.

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw three touchdown passes in a 48-21 win against the New Orleans Saints in 2001.

• Green Bay Packers RB Aaron Jones (collected six points and six assists in eight basketball games for Texas-El Paso in 2013-14 under coach Tim Floyd) rushed for 154 yards and two second-half touchdowns (including 56-yarder) in 23-10 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 2019.

• Los Angeles Rams TE James McDonald (four-year Southern California letterman in early 1980s averaged 8.2 ppg and 4.8 rpg as senior forward) caught two passes for 18 yards in a 16-13 wild-card playoff game setback against the New York Giants in 1984.

• New York Jets RB Elijah McGuire (collected 10 points and 13 rebounds in 16 basketball games for Louisiana-Lafayette in 2015-16) scored two touchdowns (rush to open game's scoring and third-quarter, 20-yard pass reception) in 44-38 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 2018.

• Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw three touchdown passes in a 38-23 win against the New Orleans Saints in 2007.

• Chicago Bears DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) had three sacks in a 28-13 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2012.

• New York Giants CB Jason Sehorn (averaged 12.5 ppg and 6 rpg for Shasta Community College CA in 1990-91) returned a kickoff 38 yards for touchdown in 28-25 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2000 regular-season finale.

• Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 30-28 divisional playoff win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1972. The next year, Staubach threw two TD passes - including 83-yarder to Drew Pearson - in a 27-16 divisional playoff win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1973.

• San Diego Chargers WR Kitrick Taylor (Washington State hooper in 1984-85 and 1986-87) returned a punt 55 yards for touchdown in 24-21 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1990.

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as ill-informed GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick and his supporters spurred politicized multiple anthems and league funding anti-cop activist groups, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on December 22 in football at the professional level (especially in 1968 playoff game between the Minnesota Vikings and Baltimore Colts):

DECEMBER 22

• Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw four touchdown passes - including 82-yarder to Frank Jackson - in a 48-0 AFL win against the New York Jets in 1963 season finale.

• Carolina Panthers DE Greg Hardy (Ole Miss backup forward as freshman in 2006-07) had three sacks in a 17-13 victory against the New Orleans Saints in 2013.

• Minnesota Vikings QB Joe Kapp (backup forward averaged 1.8 ppg and 1.2 rpg for California's PCC champions in 1957 and 1958) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 24-14 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1968 NFL playoff divisional round. Vikings DT Gary Larsen (ex-Marine played multiple hoops seasons for Concordia MN in early 1960s) had a sack. Colts TE John Mackey (Syracuse hooper in 1960-61) caught three passes for 92 yards - including a 49-yard TD from Earl Morrall - and Colts WR Tom Mitchell (averaged 6.1 ppg and 9.4 rpg in 10 basketball games for Bucknell in 1963-64) opened game's scoring with a TD catch.

• Jacksonville Jaguars TE Marcedes Lewis (collected nine points and four rebounds in seven UCLA basketball games in 2002-03 under coach Steve Lavin) caught a touchdown pass in his fourth consecutive contest in 2013.

• Pittsburgh Steelers E Cy McClairen (two-time all-league selection scored 36 points for Bethune-Cookman in 1953 SIAC Tournament championship game) opened game's scoring with a 48-yard touchdown pass reception from Morrall in 27-2 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1957 season finale.

• San Francisco 49ers rookie E R.C. Owens (led small colleges with 27.1 rpg in 1953-54 while also averaging 23.5 ppg for College of Idaho) opened game's scoring by catching a 34-yard touchdown pass from Y.A. Tittle in 31-27 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1957 Western Conference playoff tiebreaker. 49ers E Billy Wilson (averaged 3.3 ppg as senior letterman for San Jose State in 1950-51) caught a 12-yard TD pass from Tittle.

• New York Yankees TB Ace Parker (Duke hoops letterman in 1936) completed 8-of-18 passes in a 14-9 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1946 NFL championship game.

• Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught 10 passes for 247 yards - including four touchdowns from Tom Flores - in a 52-49 AFL win against the Houston Oilers in 1963 season finale.

• Kansas City Chiefs FL Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M after school's glory years with Zelmo Beaty) had four pass receptions for 117 yards in a 41-6 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1968 AFL Western Division playoffs.

• Atlanta Falcons LB Kenny Tippins (made one basket and grabbed six rebounds in three hoops games with Middle Tennessee State in 1989-90) returned an interception 35 yards in 31-27 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1991 season finale.

• Brad Van Pelt (averaged 3.6 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Michigan State in 1970-71 and 1971-72) was starting LOLB for the Oakland Raiders in a 13-7 setback against the Seattle Seahawks in 1984 AFC wild-card game.

Between 1980 and 2020, the average price of tuition, fees, plus room and board for an undergraduate degree increased 169%. Instead of academic/diversity-driven exemptions and exceptions, it's too bad the institutions of lower learning didn't bother to raise scholastic and enrollment standards or at least devote portion of their endowment largesse toward conducting authentic background checks. In the aftermath of last year's disturbing shootout at 3:15 a.m. leading to postponing of New Mexico State/New Mexico rivalry games, there was also more than ample evidence that basketball is equally screwed up across the country. Three months before NMSU suspended program in aftermath of revelation of sexually-charged hazing incidents ending up costing school $8 million, questions linger in light of brawl at football contest between same schools the previous month. Despite eventually avoiding charges via self-defense, how in hell did NMSU gunman have a weapon following road trip on bus to Albuquerque? Why wasn't he adequately supervised in predawn hours? How did he travel to crime scene? Why wasn't law enforcement promptly notified by team of weapon left behind in hotel room? The NCAA should simply adorn coach/probation officer in a Statue of Liberality suit and inscribe: "Give me your troubled, your deranged, the wretch refuse . . . ." In essence, that message is their recruiting spiel. Much like abortion, we've become desensitized to sordid stories of smart-asset athletes getting in trouble. Last season also included Washington, D.C. product Darius Miles' arrest and subsequent indictment for capital murder after Alabama backup junior forward allegedly provided gun fired at a car in an area know as "The Strip," killing a 23-year-old woman.

Recently, former Arizona center Chance Comanche was in custody regarding accusation he fatally strangled an escort while in Las Vegas. Her remains were found in a ditch covered with rocks in desert area. There should just be a class-action lawsuit against some school and athletic departments for allowing someone like the accused murderers remotely close to their programs. Ditto innumerable females around the nation who should be seeking counsel upon impacted by social scholars involved in "War on Women" on college campuses.

One certainly can't count on the #MessMedia to do its job to help thwart the collegiate crap, let alone scummy George Soros and the FTX Crypto scam artist showering #Demonrats with campaign funds before going bankrupt. The Washington Compost, which previously described ISIS terrorist Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi as an "austere religious scholar," expressed its usual affinity for human debris by commending the alleged shooter (Christopher Jones Jr.) for overcoming a rough childhood. Are you kidding me? Jones allegedly told his victims he shot on a bus "you are always messing with me." But it's also college administrators and press puke messing with students specifically and public generally bringing athletes to campus who have no business being there. What will it take for some people to realize there is a tremendous risk allowing the admissions office to abdicate to athletics department solely to try to win a few more games? If priorities aren't modified, some coaches should be arrested for impersonating a warden.

NCAA (National Collection of Abusive Athletes). Seems as if that is what the organization's acronym should be in wake of former Missouri hooper James "Jed" Frost shooting and killing his estranged wife and himself inside the Dallas County medical examiner's office. A couple of years ago, George Mason signee Cameron Walker's was arrested with a GA high school teammate by SWAT team on murder charges and criminal attempt to commit armed robbery following recent death of a man in drug-related case at parking lot (allegedly sold drugs out of apartment via social media). The Patriots' program, coached by former Mizzou player Kim English, had lauded Walker's toughness and "competitive edge." In an era when getting correct answer in mathematics is deemed racist, some edgy ill-informed GMU students exhibiting questionable priorities were concerned with wanting Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh fired from a summer teaching position despite widely-discredited sexual misconduct allegations against him. No word on how many GMU students might have been involved in abortion-related protests at Kavanaugh's residence before or after a man was accused of threatening to assassinate him.

Disgruntled steamy-romance novelist Stacey Abrams, in the aftermath of multiple gubernatorial defeats, probably should be throwing #Dimorat diva's weight behind voting for moral compass classes in GA. Beneath its glitz and glamour, college basketball has a description-defying unruly rap sheet of human viruses appearing to include Tulane's Teshaun Hightower, who was denied bond after Georgia transfer's arrest and charge of felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and battery following an investigation in a fatal shooting this past spring.

A disturbing report bubbled up when Jarion Childs, a three-time CAA leader in steals (1997-98 through 1999-00), was killed in his hometown of Groton, Conn., in late June 2004 after an alleged "steal" of another kind - breaking into a Dairy Queen shortly after midnight. He was shot by the store's owner after prying the back door's lock with a crowbar and allegedly striking the owner three times with the crowbar. A local news channel reported that Childs, who led American University in assists each of his last two years, may be responsible for multiple murders in southeastern Connecticut. One elderly bedridden victim reportedly was "cared for" by Childs' sister working for home health care business called Good as Gold. The state police forensic lab apparently matched Childs' palm prints (usually good-as-gold evidence) to a set lifted from the window at victim's house.

The unruliness has spiked in recent years. While some selective-outrage fans might be more disappointed at Keith Appling's performance in final college game (2 points/0 rebounds/2 assists/4 turnovers/5 fouls in East Regional final vs. UConn), the former All-Big Ten Conference selection's manhunt arrest and murder charge regarding shooting death of a relative surfaced after team captain fled in newer model, tan-colored Buick Regal with girlfriend as getaway driver. Officers assisting at crime scene found a black revolver reportedly wrested from Michigan State's leader in assists from 2011-12 through 2013-14 deposited on the front lawn a few feet from green MSU ball cap. A vital question begs answering: Where's the accountability for school administration and athletic department with admittance standard allowing such a troubled individual to Dr. Larry Nassar's campus (sentenced in spring of 2023 to up to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder)? They should have promptly known something was amiss after disturbing strip miniature basketball incident during freshman orientation in September 2010. Didn't Spartans coach Tom Izzo proclaim Appling had "whole different perspective" after visiting him in jail in mid-December 2017 before turning attention to female victims of his recruits? Izzo mistakenly thought Appling was "becoming better at dealing with the real world." Instead of arranging etiquette and ethics classes for antisocial athletes she covered or covered up for, don't be surprised if self-absorbed journalistic jackal/ESPN reject Jemelle Hill blames "supremacist" #TheDonald, WV Senator Joe "White Dude" Manchin or untrustworthy Caucasian police officer on apprehension of hallowed hooper from The Atlantic contributor's hood (alma mater). "Keith is a killer (player)," his former AAU coach said. In public-school educated misguided minds, Appling has assembled rap-sheet street cred to become next BLM martyr like career criminals Andrew Brown Jr., Jacob Blake, Rayshard Brooks, George Floyd or Freddie Gray (a/k/a ambulance-chasing attorney Ben Crump's black cash cows).

In February of 2021, the hoop wickedness extended to Logan Kelley, a Rutgers walk-on in 2012-13 arrested in Tijuana, Mexico, for killing a strip club employee. Kelley pleaded guilty (sentenced to 22 years in prison and ordered to pay restitution of about $40,000) to walking up behind the victim and fatally slicing her neck with a knife while she was speaking with another man in a hallway. Nightclubs and bars not serving food were supposed to be closed amid coronavirus restrictions, but the strip club/brothel enterprise apparently was operating anyway. In late summer of 2020, Romero Collier, a freshman with Niagara in 2015-16, was arrested and charged with one count each of first- and second-degree murder, first- and third-degree robbery and first-degree criminal use of a firearm. In mid-summer of 2021, Post University CT juco recruit Raekwon Drake was charged with first-degree murder after shooting a man in the head who chased him with other Hispanics and ran away with his dog in the heart of Chicago.

Entering dangerous terrain when comparing cancerous athletes to the public-at-large segment of our population, there is a seemingly congested intersection populating hot hoop prospects who become prime suspects. Rarely exposed to the rigid word "no," some of the hero worshiped think the world revolves around them and develop a sordid sense of "out-of-bounds" entitlement. Many of the misguided go from the brink of the pros to the clink with black-and-white striped (or orange) clothes.

"When you are among the high-flying adored, your view of the world becomes blurred," wrote psychologist Stanley Teitelbaum of the flouting-of-the-law behavior in the book "Sports Heroes, Fallen Idols: How Star Athletes Pursue Self-Destructive Paths and Jeopardize Their Careers."

"Off the field, some act as if they are above the rules of society; hubris and an attitude of entitlement become central to the psyche of many athletes. They may deny that they are vulnerable to reprisals and feel omnipotent and grandiose as well as entitled."

Sounds almost like lame-stream legacy press failing to pressure authorities to get their hands dirty and clean up collegiate cesspool. In the meantime, an excessive number of depraved derelicts can't resist and make the toxic transition from game-breakers to lawbreakers when seduced by the dark side such as "looting reparations." There have been a striking number of heart-breaking stories rocking the world of sports, derailing dreams and creating miscreants who are poster boys for bad behavior. In order to try to comprehend the absence of a moral compass in some communities, Billy Moore, who participated in killing the nation's No. 1 prep prospect (Chicago's Ben Wilson) in late 1984, said "I'm not a criminal" after serving nearly 20 years in prison. In aftermath of teenager Kyle Rittenhouse's "guilty verdict" killing clown-show careers of attorneys prosecuting him, perhaps Plagiarist Biledumb Administration, via spokesperson Ka-ringe Worthy, will deem hardened hoopers as mere protesters and finally have VP Cacklin' Kamala do something for which she is competent (arrange bail money). An astonishing number of professional athletes/social scholars sounded off on the verdict with as much expertise as hideous Hunter's artistry.

Idaho professor Sharon Stoll was not surprised when sports pages occasionally read like a police blotter focusing on 15 minutes of shame such as former Minnesota guard Daquein McNeil charged with arson in Baltimore in the summer of 2017 in connection with the homicide of a man who happened to be staying at the vacant house.

"In sport, we have moved away from honorable behavior," said Stoll, who operated the Center for Ethical Theory and Honor in Competitive Sports and conducted a 17-year study during which 72,000 athletes filled out questionnaires. "The environment of athletics has not been supportive of teaching and modeling moral knowing, moral valuing and moral action. Many of these young people have no sense of what is acceptable behavior."

It's unnerving when active or former narcissistic players go from the big time breaking ankles to the big house donning ankle bracelets. Infinitely more disconcerting is when deaths are involved amid the life and crimes. Despite some of the repulsive garbage, college hoops is too great a game to be ruined by moral malfeasance including a seven-footer from Duluth, Ga., reportedly recruited by Florida Gulf Coast, North Florida and Winthrop facing serious charges (robbery and assault with intent to commit a crime) in connection to the murder of a man several years ago, a Pitt-Greensburg letterman charged with criminal homicide involving his ex-girlfriend and Toledo high school star Carl Banks pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter in a shooting death in 2017.

Who are "reimagine" morons going to call when in dire straits or "reparations" thefts occur? Do they have emergency number for Ghostbusters? Mandated re-education camp (antithesis of "Hands Off! Don't Loot!"), including forced viewing of MSLSD's nauseating lineup soiled by Joyless Reid and tax cheat Al "Not So" Sharpton, might be on horizon for those individuals principled enough to state the obvious. But instead of "gangstas," why not support #BlueLivesMatter to avoid testing positive for stupid? Amid insane woke emphasis on defunding police rather than promoting more cooperation with law enforcement to diffuse longstanding snitches-get-stitches culture, we get former Oklahoma All-American Blake Griffin among prominent athletes and activists such as statuesque social scholar Kim Kardashian seeking clemency for Julio Jones, a black man on death row in Oklahoma stemming from crime (first-degree murder of local businessman) he claims he didn't commit. Griffin's father, Tommy, coached Jones on an undefeated state titlist in high school before he was slated to try to walk-on with the Kelvin Sampson-coached Sooners in fall of 1999. A two-hour ABC episode on "20/20" was an abridged version of the documentary series, "The Last Defense."

The accompanying "Thugs R Us" hoop-horror summaries aren't designed to defile hoopdom. Actually, if college basketball can survive such unsavory incidents and classless ambassadors, it must be a helluva sport. It's nearly the equivalent of our country surviving #Dimorat dolts pulling respective leech-like heads out of butts and "reclaiming their time" in judicial hearings. At any rate, how many schools wouldn't be tainted if they had just embraced modest academic standards rather than NABC drooling over eliminating emphasis on ACT and SAT results? How about more critical thinking about law and order than critical race theory? What went awry for the following alphabetical list of slam dunkers who wound up in the slammer after murder/manslaughter probes?

Richie Adams, UNLV (coached by Jerry Tarkanian) - A 1989 conviction for larceny and armed robbery led to a five-year prison term for the two-time Big West Conference Tournament MVP. Following his parole, Adams was convicted of manslaughter in September 1998 after being accused of stalking and killing a 14-year-old Bronx girl in a housing project where both lived. The girl's family said Adams attacked her because she rejected his advances. Adams, nicknamed "The Animal" because of his intense playing style, was considered a defensive whiz and led the Rebels in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots for their PCAA champions in 1983-84 and 1984-85. "I used drugs occasionally, when I wanted to do it," Adams said. "When I went to play basketball, if I needed a pain reliever, I would sniff some cocaine." His trouble with the law escalated in 1985, a day after he was drafted in the fourth round by the Washington Bullets, when the two-time All-PCAA first-team selection was arrested for stealing a car. In high school, Adams and several teammates allegedly stole their own coach's auto.

Clifford Allen, UNLV (Jerry Tarkanian) - November 1985 J.C. signee by the Rebels was sentenced to 45 years in prison after pleading no contest to second-degree murder as part of a plea bargain in the 1989 death of a man in Milton, Fla. Allen, a native of Los Angeles, said in a recorded statement that he used a steak knife to kill a 64-year-old guidance counselor after the man allegedly made sexual advances in the counselor's trailer. Allen, driving the victim's auto when he was arrested, enrolled at several jucos and also reportedly considered an offer to play for Tim Floyd at New Orleans.

Justin "Spider" Burns, Cal State Fullerton (Bob Burton) - Two-year starter for the Titans (10.4 ppg and 6.7 rpg in 2005-06 and 2006-07; second-leading rebounder as junior and senior) was arrested in Jackson, Miss., in the spring of 2011 on a murder charge related to the strangulation slaying of his ex-girlfriend the previous fall. Her body was found by target shooters in a valley desert area under a pile of blackened rocks. According to Burns' arrest report, the brother of rapper Jason Douglas Burns (a/k/a WorldWideWebbb) was the last person to be seen with the West Covina, Calif., resident and had argued with her the night before she was killed after coming to Las Vegas to visit him. In the weeks after her burned body was found, his father (former UNLV player Michael "Spiderman" Burns) refused to cooperate with police about his son's whereabouts, the report said. Spider committed suicide (suffocation by strangulation) at the age of 39 in June of 2023 in prison.

Ritchie Campbell, Hawaii commitment (Riley Wallace) - Just days after leading scorer in Western New York high school history (for 27 years) left jail following stint there stemming from involvement with alcohol and drugs (weapons charge linked to August 1993 arrest while driving stolen vehicle), he was fiddling with a gun at 3 a.m. in spring of 1994 while drunk at his girlfriend's house. The weapon went off and the bullet struck a woman he didn't know (10 years older than him) in the back of her neck. After the mother of a baby girl died two days following the shooting, J.C. recruit was convicted of first-degree manslaughter and served 17 years in prison. In July 1992, a jury acquitted him of attempted murder and other charges involving a shootout with Buffalo police during the summer of 1991.

Jeff Clifton, Middle Tennessee State (Bruce Stewart)/Arkansas State (Nelson Catalina) - Two-time All-Sun Belt Conference selection (1992-93 and 1993-94) who tied ASU's DI single-game scoring record with 43 points was sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading no contest in fatal beating of his two-year-old son. He was charged with capital murder and abuse of a corpse (hiding it about 40 miles away for more than a year) after the toddler's remains were found in early December 2015 in a vacant lot.

Javaris Crittenton, Georgia Tech (Paul Hewitt) - All-ACC third-team selection as a freshman in 2006-07 was sentenced to 23 years as part of a plea deal stemming from charges of murder and gang activity (sentence subsequently reduced to 10 years before he was released in spring of 2023). Charged in late August 2011 after a woman was a drive-by shooting victim on a Southeast Atlanta street by someone inside a dark-colored SUV. The mother of four wasn't the intended target in what appeared to be retaliation for a $50,000 robbery of jewelry in the spring when Crittenton was a victim. Crittenton, who pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge in late January 2010 and received probation, was suspended 38 games by the NBA after he and teammate Gilbert Arenas acknowledged bringing guns into the Washington Wizards locker room following an altercation stemming from a card game on a team flight. While out on bond, Crittenton was arrested in mid-January 2014 in drug sting taking down more than a dozen persons accused of selling multiple kilos of cocaine and several hundred pounds of marijuana.

Ke'Vonte Davis and Jamontae Davis, Columbia State Community College TN - Brothers were charged with criminal homicide in connection with fatal shooting outside a Nashville high school in late January 2016 (victim shot four times in torso). The altercation stemmed from a lingering dispute over a girl. At the time of shooting, Jamontae Davis (Tennessee State signee in fall of 2012) attended Odessa College (Tex.) and had been kicked off team following arrest for allegedly assaulting a woman. Kevonte Davis was sentenced to five years' probation with a split confinement sentence (already in jail for 90 days and remained there until completing six months behind bars). Jamontae Davis was sentenced to two years' probation without confinement upon conviction of criminally negligent homicide.

Howell Emanuel "Trai" Donaldson III, St. John's (Steve Lavin) - Ordered held without bond following arrest by Tampa police after four separate shooting murders in six-week period during fall of 2017 involving victims ranging in ages from 22 to 60. A McDonald's manager received $110,000 reward for helping crack the case when coworker contacted police officer doing paperwork in restaurant after Donaldson asked her to hold bag containing loaded .40 Glock firearm while alleged serial killer went to nearby business to arrange a payday loan. Police said AT&T cellphone data put him in area of each killing and a hoodie seen in released surveillance videos was found in his Ford Mustang. Sports management major walked onto St. John's team during 2011-12 season when Lavin missed majority of year recovering from cancer surgery and only had seven scholarship players available. The 6-0 guard never played in a game for the program.

Carlton Dotson, Baylor (Dave Bliss) - Junior college recruit was sentenced to 35 years in prison after pleading guilty to murdering Baylor roommate/teammate Patrick Dennehy with a hand gun in the summer of 2003. Dennehy, shot twice above the right ear, was New Mexico's leading rebounder (7.5 rpg) in 2001-02 under coach Fran Fraschilla before he was dismissed from the squad when Ritchie McKay succeeded Fraschilla. Dotson was arrested upon telling FBI agents he shot Dennehy after the player tried to shoot him. Bliss was fired by Baylor, the world's largest Baptist school, before reports surfaced about his direct involvement in a Hall of Shame cover-up attempting to hide drug use and NCAA violations within his program by encouraging an assistant coach and Bears players to depict the slain Dennehy as a drug dealer.

James "Jed" Frost, Missouri (Norm Stewart) - Shot and killed his wife and himself in November 2022 inside the Dallas County medical examiner's office six months after she filed for divorce. Frost was a member of Mizzou's regional finalist team as a senior in 1993-94.

Brad Greene, Arizona (Bruce Larson) - Member of Black Panther Party twice went to prison. Chicago native served 8 1/3 years following conviction in circumstantial evidence case as part of group involved in murder of a policeman in mid-June of 1970. Arrested again in late 1979 while on parole and was incarcerated another 10 years. He averaged 8.3 ppg and 2.6 rpg for UA in 1966-67 and 1967-68.

DeAndre "Dre" Harrison, San Jacinto Junior College commitment (Scott Gernander) - Pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and received 10-year sentence in capital murder case. Brother of St. John's star D'Angelo Harrison was among seven men allegedly in a Tahoe van in drug deal gone bad in late May 2010 in parking lot outside a Dave & Buster's in Houston entertainment complex.

Parish Hickman, Michigan State (Jud Heathcote)/Liberty (Jeff Meyer) - Spartans regular for three seasons before transferring and becoming Liberty's second-leading scorer and rebounder in 1992-93 pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 3-to-15 years in prison for the January 2001 murder of a Detroit man outside a Westside gas station. Acquitted after appearing before a federal judge on cocaine charges in the spring of 1991 following his on-campus arrest at MSU.

Jerome "Lenny" Holly, Texas Tech (James Dickey)/Arizona State (Bill Frieder) - Found guilty in the fatal shooting of a man and the wounding of another outside a New Mexico nightclub in mid-September 2003 during a dispute over drugs (both victims shot in back). SWC freshman of the year in 1992-93 before attending a juco and transferring to ASU, where he was plagued by medical problems (placed on prescription medication after suffering seizure and losing consciousness while driving in Los Angeles).

Baskerville Holmes, Memphis State (Dana Kirk) - A starting forward who averaged 9.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game for the Tigers' 1985 Final Four team, he was arrested twice for domestic violence. Later, Holmes, an out-of-work truck driver, and his girlfriend were found shot to death March 18, 1997, in an apparent murder-suicide in Memphis. Three children were at home at the time of shootings. He was 32.

LaKeith Humphrey, Kansas State (Lon Kruger)/Central Missouri State (Jim Wooldridge) - Sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of first-degree murder in the late November 2006 death of his former girlfriend, who was shot through her bedroom window about 3:40 a.m. in his hometown of Memphis. Humphrey, a J.C. recruit, averaged 12.6 ppg and 3.6 apg for K-State's NCAA playoff team in 1988-89.

Joe Hurst, Iowa State (Glendon Anderson) - While on three-year probation for robbing CTA bus drivers, Hurst shot a Chicago patrolman to death and wounded his partner with bullet to the face in 1967 during a traffic stop. When Cyclones regular in 1963-64 was sentenced to death, self-proclaimed minister of the House of Islam told the judge, "Life and death is in God's hands. I may have been an instrument in (cop's) death, but it must have been his time to go." After the U.S. Supreme Court declared a moratorium on capital punishment in 1972, Hurst was resentenced to 100 to 300 years in prison. Controversial Cook County state's attorney Kim Foxx (remember mishandling of Jussie Smollett probe) inexplicably dropped her opposition to his parole bid, rankling police officers when 77-year-old Hurst was freed by parole board in late February 2021.

Lawrence Ingram, Murray State (Ron Greene) - Juco recruit who played in 17 games for the Racers' 1983 Ohio Valley Conference regular-season champion was sentenced to 20 years in prison for first-degree reckless homicide in early November 2017 killing at a squalid homeless encampment under a Milwaukee freeway overpass. Ingram abused cocaine and his criminal record began in 1988 with a conviction for robbery.

Joeviair Kennedy, Western Michigan (Steve Hawkins) - Convicted of armed robbery and a weapons charge but acquitted of murder, he was sentenced to at least 17 years in prison in the fatal shooting of a student at an off-campus apartment in December 2016 theft where he and a co-defendant allegedly got marijuana, a cellphone and about $25. Kennedy, a 6-4 redshirt guard who averaged 3.1 ppg in eight WMU contests, said a former Muskegon high school teammate sentenced to life in prison pulled the trigger.

William Langrum II, McLennan County Community College TX (Kevin Gill) - Starting power forward and H.S. teammate of Georgia Tech/NBA star Chris Bosh on Texas' 4A state championship club in 2002 (declared national champion by USA Today) was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole when a jury found him guilty of capital murder after a 50-year-old woman was stabbed to death with a hunting knife in a purse robbery outside her Dallas-area condominium in the fall of 2011 as she returned from church. In the aftermath of killing her, Langrum and an accomplice went to a different portion of Dallas and began stalking another potential victim before police arrested them. Coincidentally, Bosh's mother was the subject of a drug trafficking probe in December 2017.

Robert Littlejohn, Purdue (Gene Keady) - Junior college recruit who served as starting center for NCAA tourney team in 1984-85 was sentenced to 60 years in prison after conviction of chasing and stabbing a woman to death during fight in fall of 2019 in Fort Wayne, Ind. The 21-year-old female collapsed right in the middle of the street.

Leonel Marquetti, Southern California (Bob Boyd and Stan Morrison)/Hampton (Hank Ford) - Former McDonald's All-American was sentenced to life in prison without parole after being found guilty of first-degree murder in a March 25, 2010, slaying in Plant City, Fla. Prosecutors portrayed Marquetti as a hoarder who was jealous of a wrongly-assumed relationship with an ex-girlfriend, a German-born dog breeder. Marquetti shot a white handyman four times - once as he faced him and three times as his victim lay face down. Jurors also found him guilty of aggravated battery with a firearm and false imprisonment. The Los Angeles native averaged 4.8 ppg in 1978-79 and 1979-80 with USC before transferring.

Howard McNeil, Seton Hall (Bill Raftery) - Convicted at Norristown, Pa., in early February 1999 of third-degree murder in the stabbing death of a suspected prostitute. Police said the woman's skull was cracked when she was pushed into a wall before being stabbed to death. According to prosecutors, McNeil also stole a safe filled with drugs from the house. McNeil, an All-Big East Conference third-team selection as a junior in 1980-81 before being declared academically ineligible late in senior season, was found guilty of related drug and theft charges, but not convicted on more serious first- and second-degree murder charges. In 1976, he shot a friend in the head with a handgun at a Valentine's Day party, but was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and avoided jail.

Branden Miller, Montana State (Mick Durham) - Sentenced to 120 years in prison (100 for deliberate homicide, 10 for use of a weapon and 10 for tampering with evidence) after he was charged with murder in late June 2006 in the shooting death of a suspected cocaine dealer whose body was found at the school's agronomy farm. Investigators said the murder weapon was one of two .40-caliber handguns Miller bought from a pawn shop two weeks before the incident. He was the Bobcats' third-leading scorer in 2004-05 before becoming academically ineligible.

Ali Mohammed and Lavell White, Allan Hancock Community College CA (Tyson Aye) - Teammates were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility for parole stemming from a late 2014 botched robbery of a drug dealer ending in murder. During the trial, witnesses testified that the killing occurred while Mohammed and White were in midst of a crime spree including burglarizing homes and robbing another drug dealer. They celebrated New Year's Eve by shooting off the murder weapon.

Mike Niles, Cal State Fullerton (Bobby Dye) - After playing briefly with the Phoenix Suns, the enforcer for the Titans' 1978 West Regional finalist, before booted from the squad due to academic anemia, was convicted in late January 1989 of hiring a man to murder his wife and received a life sentence without the possibility of parole. She died of a shotgun blast to the back of her skull from close range. According to the prosecution, Niles arranged to pay $5,000 to kill his wife, a prison guard, to collect $100,000 from a life insurance policy. A witness testified that Niles said he wanted his wife killed because she "messed me out" of money from basketball. The cycle of violence continued when his aspiring rapper son, Brandon, was buried at 17, the victim of a gunshot to the chest by a rival gang.

Stephen O'Reilly, North Florida (Matthew Driscoll) - Virgin Islands product who played briefly for UNF in 2009-10 was charged in the fatal stabbing of a roommate in Gwinnett County (Ga.) in late March 2013. The roommate, suffering from sickle cell anemia, was stabbed more than 18 times by assailant with a butcher knife.

Terry Pettis, Fresno State (Ray Lopes) - Sentenced to life in prison without parole for first-degree murder and armed robbery in the death of a junior college student who was behind the wheel of a car while her boyfriend sold marijuana in the seat next to her. Pettis had been arrested in his hometown of Minneapolis in May 2004 on charges of killing the woman when she tried to drive away during a botched drug robbery the previous month in Fresno, Calif., at a secluded lot near an apartment building. The crime was so grisly that the judge decided jurors couldn't see an autopsy photo showing the bullet's impact on the teenager's head. Pettis, a starting point guard for the Bulldogs in 2002-03 and 2003-04 before he was suspended for not completing a treatment program, pleaded no contest in September 2003 to misdemeanor vandalism and battery charges involving his girlfriend.

Bryan Randall, Dartmouth (Paul Cormier) - Facing a pending divorce, All-Ivy League selection in 1986-87 and 1987-88 dropped his two youngest children in the murky waters of an Orlando-area office park lake in mid-September 2003 (two-year-old girl drowned and four-year-old boy saved only by fate's hand and a passing fisherman) before loading his two older sons into the family's Dodge Durango and intentionally swerving in front of an oncoming semitrailer slicing his SUV nearly in two on the interstate (killing him and the one son bearing his name). In a suicide letter found in the wreckage, jobless-and-despondent Randall, who led Ivy League in assists as a senior, wrote he wanted to kill himself and his children because he disapproved of how his estranged wife cared for them. Randall, slapped with a restraining order hinging on sordid charges of sexual humiliation and blackmail, had discovered her infidelity by tapping their home's phone. In the late 1990s, he filed for bankruptcy and had bank foreclose on his condominium in Silver Spring, Md., prior to accepting a job with WorldCom before the telecom giant collapsed.

Derrick Riley, Fresno State (Boyd Grant)/Fresno Pacific - Part-time starter for FSU in 1984-85 was convicted of second-degree murder of his wife and unborn child and sentenced to 30 years to life in prison. He was accused of suffocating his wife, who was 7 1/2 months pregnant with their second child, after her body was found floating in a Bakersfield area aqueduct in early February 1994. Court papers said there had an argument over his using drugs and theft of a church's cash box.

Aaron Smith, Wyoming (Joby Wright) - Junior college recruit who averaged 5.2 ppg in 1994-95 and 1995-96 was found guilty of first-degree murder for shooting a construction worker in back of the head in early August 2005 (victim reportedly owed him about $400 from gambling debt from late 1990s).

Andre Smith, Xavier (Skip Prosser) - Son of Tulsa All-American Bingo Smith was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence as part of a plea deal. Prosecutors say he used a survival tool that included a machete and a saw to kill his Russian teenage friend in May 2004 in his apartment complex. Andre played for the Musketeers in mid-1990s.

Troy Smith, Louisville (Denny Crum) - Regular for three NCAA playoff teams in the early 1990s served one year of a 5-to-25-year prison term for the February 1994 involuntary manslaughter death of the mother of his infant son at her Cincinnati apartment. Police said the couple had been drinking when the woman was "body-slammed" to the floor during an argument, fracturing herskull and dying a few hours later.

Brett Studdard, Wyoming (Benny Dees) - Junior college recruit who averaged 4.3 ppg for the Cowboys in 1991-92 and 1992-93 shot his former girlfriend to death (once in the back and once in head) before committing suicide in the fall of 2003 in Cobb County (Ga.). The altercation occurred two days after a permanent restraining order was issued prohibiting him from contacting the pharmacist.

Johnathan Turner, Ranger Junior College TX (Billy Gillispie) - Arrested for murder in spring of 2014 following an argument with roommate over a video game. He was indicted for manslaughter in summer of 2014 and pleaded guilty in summer of 2015 (sentenced to seven years deferred probation).

Shaun Warrick, Maryland-Eastern Shore (Lawrence Lessett Jr.) - Convicted Valentine's Day killer was sentenced to two consecutive life prison terms without parole (plus 16 to 32 years for burglary and firearms charges) in late summer 2015 after a Philadelphia jury deadlocked on whether he should get the death penalty for murdering his ex-girlfriend and her cousin (each shot multiple times). Warrick did not testify in his defense and declined to speak before sentencing. The jury did not hear about Warrick featured in 2007 on America's Most Wanted after accusations of shooting two other students and stabbing a third (acquitted of attempted-murder charges in that case). He had been convicted of a misdemeanor escape charge in summer of 2004 when brought into a police barracks and ended up fleeing. In 2005, he was convicted of illegally possessing a gun on a public street (serial number obliterated) but still competed in 15 games for UMES in 2005-06. In summer of 2008, he was arraigned on charges of delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, receiving a stolen firearm and possession of marijuana.

Bobby Washington, Iowa (Sharm Scheuerman) - Paroled less than seven years after pleading guilty to second-degree murder following racially-laced pizza parlor/bar shooting in late summer 1964 using his roommate's .25-caliber handgun. The victim, a drunk father of four children barred from several taverns in town, was shot four times in the chest and neck. "I can't let people disrespect me," said Washington, who averaged 5.3 ppg in 1958-59 and 1959-60 before flunking out and serving stint in U.S. Army.

Kass Weaver, Wisconsin (Steve Yoder)/Richmond (Dick Tarrant and Bill Dooley) - Two-time All-CAA selection was charged in fall of 2021 with allegedly killing his toddler son before stashing the body in a garage freezer for at least 2 1/2 years. His wife told cops that at times he tied her up with an electrical cord and burned her with a curling iron.

Decensae White, Texas Tech (Bob Knight)/Santa Clara (Kerry Keating)/San Francisco State (Paul Trevor) - Arrested on a murder charge as part of an elaborate plot, including a Russian mobster, where a Louisiana rapper (Lil Phat) was killed in a revenge drive-by shooting the summer of 2012 in the parking deck of a hospital as his fiancee was preparing to give birth. White, extradited to Georgia in May 2013 before striking a deal with the prosecution, testified he was the one tracking Lil Phat's movements (after stealing 10 pounds of marijuana) via a GPS device installed in a rented white Audi vehicle. The vagabond hooper averaged 4.7 ppg and 2.2 rpg for Texas Tech in 2006-07 and 2007-08, 3.4 ppg and 2.4 rpg in 10 games with Santa Clara in 2008-09 and team highs of 12.5 ppg and 7.1 rpg for San Francisco State in 2012-13.

Jayson Williams, St. John's (Lou Carnesecca) - All-Big East Conference second-team selection in 1988-89 pleaded guilty in January 2010 to aggravated assault and served 18 months in prison for accidentally killing a limousine driver in his bedroom. Williams, boasting 25 stitches above his right eye after being charged with drunken driving when crashing his SUV into a tree the previous week, was awaiting retrial on a reckless manslaughter count before pleading guilty to to the lesser count. He had been cleared by jurors in the spring of 2004 of aggravated manslaughter, the most serious charge against him, but was found guilty of four lesser charges. He faced 55 years in prison if convicted on all counts stemming from a February 14, 2002, shooting with a 12-gauge shotgun of a limo driver at his mansion and an alleged attempt to make the death look like a suicide. Williams was acquitted of aggravated manslaughter, but the jury deadlocked on a reckless-manslaughter count. Williams gave the driver's relatives $2.5 million to settle a civil suit. He had been charged in early 1995 with possession of a concealed dangerous weapon and reckless endangerment after firing a handgun at a hubcap on an empty truck lot at local arena. In late April 2009 following his wife filing for divorce claiming he was abusive, adulterous and had a drug problem, Williams was zapped with a stun gun by police in a lower Manhattan hotel suite after the reportedly suicidal athlete resisted attempts by officers to take him to a hospital. The next month, he was charged with assault after allegedly punching a man in the face outside a North Carolina bar, but charges were dropped. In January 2010, Williams was charged with driving while intoxicated after crashing his Mercedes into a tree in lower Manhattan (sentenced to an additional year in prison). In early February 2016, Williams was charged with drunken driving after hitting a utility pole along a road in a rural Delaware town, triggering him entering a rehabilitation facility. Part of his daily prison routine was writing "Humbled - Letters From Prison," which described tragedies in his life, including the deaths of his sisters (two from AIDS/one murdered) and being molested by his uncle when he was 10. His two daughters denounced St. John's in fall of 2022 for its decision to induct their father into the school's Athletics Hall of Fame. The Williams sisters accused their dad of being a "deadbeat," an alcoholic, failing to provide adequate financial support plus never making amends for emotional and verbal abusiveness.

Oscar Williams Jr., Utah State (Dutch Belnap) - The Aggies' assists leader in multiple categories from his mid-1970s exploits was sentenced to two life prison terms without the possibility of parole for the 1982 shooting death of his wife. Prosecutors contended that he murdered her to collect $220,000 worth of life insurance benefits after he failed in an effort to hire a contract killer. Toy Williams, a 24-year-old model, was shot at least five times in an alley near the couple's Las Vegas apartment after returning from her job at a nearby shopping mall.

Roy Williams, Cleveland State (Kevin Mackey and Mike Boyd) - Junior college recruit was suspended while facing a rape charge stemming from an on-campus incident at a fraternity party involving an honor student in early November 1990. He was questioned by California authorities the previous year about the suspicious death of a Compton College female student, whose body was found in the trunk of her gray Toyota car. Williams, the last person seen with her according to police, initially told investigators the student body vice president and peer counselor overdosed at a San Diego crack house the two had visited. In the spring of 1991, he pleaded innocent to charges of killing two young women and raping and attempting to strangle a third female. An attorney defending him threatened to sue over disclosure that his client was convicted of murder in California in 1981 when he was 14 and reportedly served nearly five years in California youth institutions. In early 1993, Williams pleaded guilty to the two killings.

Stanley Woods, Furman (Joe Williams) - Convicted of murder and originally sentenced to die in a January 1983 trial stemming from armed robbery and killing of a service station attendant in February 1981. The conviction was subsequently overturned by the South Carolina Supreme Court because of remarks the prosecution made about him not testifying in his own behalf. In a second trial, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life plus 25 years. The 5-10 guard averaged 2.5 ppg in 1976-77 and 1977-78.

Erikk Wright Jr., Coppin State commitment (Ron "Fang" Mitchell) - Junior college wing for Northeastern Oklahoma A&M in 2013-14 was convicted of third-degree murder and sentenced to 16 to 32 years in prison as well as five years of consecutive probation following a shooting in spring of 2016 outside a popular nightclub in Chester, Pa. Video evidence reportedly depicted Wright stepping off a curb to shoot the victim in the back as he crawled away for his life.

Chris Yates, Wisconsin-Green Bay (Dick Bennett) - Forward who averaged 3.2 ppg from 1987-88 through 1991-92 was sentenced to 15 years to life behind bars for the stabbing murder of his mother in spring of 2006. Addicted to crack cocaine, he previously was sentenced to five years in prison after found guilty of armed robbery in 1992. Following release from prison, criminal record for Michigan native reportedly included domestic violence and violating a restraining order.

Mark Yavorsky, San Diego (Phil Woolpert) - Backcourtmate of Bernie Bickerstaff for two seasons averaged 8.4 ppg from 1963-64 through 1965-66. In a neighbor's living room, where his mother had sought refuge, Yavorsky stabbed her to death with a three-foot antique saber in June 1979. Found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, a judge ruled him innocent by reason of insanity. In Yavorsky's disturbed mind, the murder was a reenactment of scene from a Greek tragedy in which he had been cast. After his release from a state hospital, he was in and out of custody, at one juncture escaping from a group home in downtown San Diego, taking off on a cross-country foray. The crime inspired a movie entitled My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done.