When I was a younster, my dad worked for the Marquette Warriors and I got to see some really good basketball players including George Thompson, Bo Ellis and Maurice Lucas. Well, today, Maurice Lucas died of bladder cancer at the age of 58.
From jsonline: Maurice Lucas, the fierce former Marquette power forward known as "The Enforcer" who also helped lead the Portland Trail Blazers to the 1977 NBA title, died after a long fight with bladder cancer. He was 58.
Lucas died Sunday at his home in Portland, the team said.
At public appearances, fans often greeted Lucas with cries of "Luuuuuuke!" His competitive demeanor on the court was in contrast to his gentle nature off it.
Lucas led Marquette to the 1974 NCAA title game against North Carolina State and was selected to the All-Final Four team along with future Portland teammate Bill Walton. The 6-foot-9 former Pittsburgh high school star averaged 15.8 points and 10.6 rebounds that season, and he had 21 points and 13 rebounds against the Wolfpack in the title game.
In his two varsity seasons with Marquette, Lucas had 939 points and 643 rebounds. Among many memorable moments with the then-Warriors, Lucas sank a 20-foot shot as the final horn sounded to beat Wisconsin, 59-58, on Feb. 5, 1974.
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/goldeneagles/106424113.html
Heaven just got another fine basketball player and human being.
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