now. The commemorative article is amazing, IMO. It speaks for itself.

Gathers was of the greatest college basketball players in a generation, and by all accounts, a remarkable young man. He passed away during the WCC Tournament during a semi-final game between Portland and LMU. Current Miami Heat head Coach Erik Spoelstra has spoken a number of times on the impact Hank's death had on him (Spoelstra played for Portland, and was on the court when Gathers died). Raised in the Rosen projects in North Philly, Gathers was a sure-fire lottery pick and a finalist for every major national player of the year award. He stated many times that he would change his family's life with the money he made.

After his death, the rest of the WCC tournament was canceled, and the auto-bid was awarded to LMU--by virtue of their WCC regular season championship. Without Gathers, who had, amazingly, led the nation in scoring AND rebounding in 1989, LMU advanced all the way to the Elite 8 before bowing to eventual national champion UNLV. Gathers best friend and teammate, Bo Kimble, famously shot his first free throw of each NCAA Tournament game with his left hand, in honor of Gathers, who was a lefty FT shooter (Gathers was right handed, but shot FT's with his left). Kimble went on to play several years in the NBA.

LMU defeated defending National Champion Michigan 149-115 in the 2nd round. Michigan Head Coach Steve Fisher later said the following: ''They played like they were on a crusade. They were spectacular. They had a momentum and a flow that captivated not only a community but a country.''


http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/12408850/remembering-hank-gathers-25th-anniversary-death