The Drubbing

Hank Gathers

20 years ago today, Hank Gathers took his last dunk, his last shot, and collapsed on the court against Portland.  There have been many articles written about Hank, and even a movie.  I was only 10 years old at the time, and it didn’t quite sit in what had happened.  Why such a great athlete in great shape passed out and died right there on the court.  One of the most memorable scenes for me was when LMU made the NCAA tournament and Bo Kimble, with a heavy heart, shot every one of his first free throws left handed as tribute.  To this day that image sticks with me.

NCAA Tournament- Long Beach, CA. Bo Kimble in action, shooting a free throw with his left hand in honor of Hank Gathers, 3/16/90.

Hank’s death gives us one of the ultimate “what if’s”.  Think for a second the ramifications of his passing and let’s play “what if Hank did not die”:

• Would the LMU vs UNLV game be one of the most exciting, highest scoring games ever?!
• Would LMU win the NCAA tournament, knock off eventual Champ UNLV and then take care of Duke? (or would Duke win and carry a dynasty forward with 3 straight wins -they already won in ’91 and ’92)
• Does Hank go first overall and change the destiny of the NJ Nets? (no more Derrick Coleman)
• Was Hank a product of Westhead’s “System”, or was he really that dominant?  Personally I think he was that dominant.  In ’88-’89 he averaged 32.7 pts and 13.7 rebs a game, leading the nation.  In 1990 before he passed away he put up 48pts and 13rebs against LSU’s Shaquille O’Neal.
• Does Len Bias and then Hank Gather’s death (only 4 years apart) change the NBA landscape? Does Jordan win all those rings?  Do we have 2 torches to carry us through the 90′s to the Kobe, LBJ, Wade era?

I did not know Hank Gathers, but from all accounts he sounded like a great kid.  Anytime someone is taken away from us too early it is tragic.  For anyone under the age of 25 that probably doesn’t remember, this is a good article to read and realize how special Hank really was and how the game of basketball lost a great, special player.