Hank Gathers
{{short description|American basketball player (1967–1990)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Hank Gathers
| image = Hank Gathers (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Gathers in 1990
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 7
| weight_lb = 210
| birth_date = {{birth date|1967|2|11}}
| birth_place = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age |1990|3|4|1967|2|11}}
| death_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| highschool = Dobbins Technical
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
| college =
- USC (1985–1986)
- Loyola Marymount (1987–1990)
| career_number = 44
| career_position = Power forward
| highlights =
- Consensus second-team All-American (1990)
- Second-team All-American – USBWA (1989)
- Third-team All-American – AP, UPI (1989)
- NCAA scoring champion (1989)
- NCAA rebounding leader (1989)
- WCC Player of the Year (1989)
- 3× First-team All-WCC (1988–1990)
- 2× WCC tournament MVP (1988, 1989)
- No. 44 retired by Loyola Marymount Lions
}}
Eric Wilson "Hank" Gathers Jr.{{cite news|last=Silary|first=Ted|title=In memory, he lives forever|date=March 6, 2000|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|page=110|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/27626544/hank-gathers-in-memory-pt-1-06-mar/|access-date=March 4, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} (February 11, 1967 – March 4, 1990) was an American college basketball player for the Loyola Marymount Lions in the West Coast Conference (WCC). As a junior in 1989, he became the second player in NCAA Division I history to lead the nation in scoring and rebounding in the same season. Gathers was a consensus second-team All-American as a senior in 1990. His No. 44 was retired by the Lions, who also placed a statue of him in his honor outside their home arena Gersten Pavilion.
Gathers began his college career with the USC Trojans, but transferred with teammate Bo Kimble to Loyola Marymount after his freshman year. Playing under Lions coach Paul Westhead and his fast-paced system, Gathers was a three-time first-team All-WCC selection. In his first season with the Lions, he earned the first of two consecutive most valuable player (MVP) honors in the WCC tournament. As a junior, he was named the WCC Player of the Year and began receiving All-American recognition. Early in his senior year in 1989–90, Gathers was diagnosed with an abnormal heartbeat after he collapsed during a game. He was placed on medication and returned a few weeks later, but he initially struggled, which he attributed to his medication. The dosage was gradually decreased, and his play recovered. Gathers died at age 23 after collapsing for the second time that season during the semifinals of the 1990 WCC tournament.
Early life
Gathers was born to Lucille and Eric Gathers Sr. in Philadelphia.{{cite news|last=Rhoden|first=William C.|title=A Final Salute for Hank Gathers; Player's Funeral Brings Out the Best in Philadelphia|date=March 13, 1990|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/13/sports/final-salute-for-hank-gathers-player-s-funeral-brings-best-philadelphia.html|access-date=March 4, 2020}} Growing up in the Raymond Rosen Projects, he stayed out of trouble by playing basketball.
Gathers played prep ball at Dobbins Technical High School,{{cite news|last=Lee|first=Michael|title='His heart was bigger than life:' 30 years after Hank Gathers' passing|date=February 29, 2020|work=The Athletic|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1643975/2020/02/29/his-heart-was-bigger-than-life-reflecting-30-years-after-hank-gathers-passing/|access-date=March 3, 2020|url-access=subscription}} located in North Philadelphia. He was joined on the team by his younger brother, Derrick Gathers, Bo Kimble and Doug Overton. The Mustangs reached the Philadelphia Public League championship game in consecutive years, losing to a Pooh Richardson-led Benjamin Franklin High in 1984 before winning the title over Lionel Simmons' South Philadelphia High in 1985.{{cite news |last=Howard-Cooper |first=Scott |title=The death of Hank Gathers: High school mourns distant symbol of pride : Philadelphia: Dobbins Tech, which won a city championship with Kimble and Gathers, has a special feeling of loss. |date=March 6, 1990 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-03-06-sp-1871-story.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120711080600/http://articles.latimes.com/print/1990-03-06/sports/sp-1871_1_hank-gathers |archive-date=July 11, 2012 |url-status=live }}
College career
=USC=
Gathers and Kimble were not friends until their senior year at Dobbins. Both of them were recruited to the University of Southern California (USC) by head coach Stan Morrison and his top assistant David Spencer. During a visit to USC, the two recruits were told that the area around campus was deemed a slum. Gathers and Kimble, however, considered the area to be a suburb compared to their home of Philadelphia. Gathers made up his mind early that he would join USC, while Kimble decided independently and only after spurning Temple late.{{cite news|last=Silary|first=Ted|title=Gathers (Continued from Preceding Page)|date=March 6, 2000|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|page=111|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/27626576/hank-gathers-in-memory-pt-2-06-mar/|access-date=March 4, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} They were joined on the Trojans by high school All-American, Tom Lewis, and Rich Grande as the "Four Freshmen" star recruiting class.Harvey, Randy - [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-05-13-sp-6015-story.html Un-Raveling at USC: A Failure to Communicate]. Los Angeles Times, May 13, 1986Florence, Mal - [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-01-19-sp-1402-story.html Freshmen Make Sweet Music in USC Victory]. Los Angeles Times, January 18, 1986. "The young players--Hank Gathers, Tom Lewis, Bo Kimble and Rich Grande--all contributed Saturday afternoon as USC beat Arizona State, 81-72, at the Sports Arena." Following an 11–17 season in 1985–86, Morrison and Spencer were fired despite having won the Pac-10 Conference the previous year. It was reported that the players would not remain unless certain conditions were met, including having a say in the next coaching staff.
USC hired George Raveling as the next head coach of the Trojans.Fleischman, Bill -[https://web.archive.org/web/20110726005831/http://articles.philly.com/1986-03-28/sports/26082131_1_stan-morrison-george-raveling-usc Raveling Leaves Iowa To Take Reins At USC]. Philadelphia Daily News, March 28, 1986 Raveling gave the players a deadline to respond whether they would remain on the team. When they did not respond, he revoked the scholarships of Gathers, Kimble, and Lewis.Florence, Mal [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-04-29-sp-2355-story.html Taken From 3 USC Freshmen : Lewis, Gathers and Kimble Receive Word From Raveling]. Los Angeles Times, April 15, 1986 Raveling's controversialSands, Vernon - [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-04-05-sp-21706-story.html At Least, If Raveling Gives a Hoot, Then So Does His USC Team]. Los Angeles Times, April 5, 1986 statement was, "You can't let the Indians run the reservation," he said. "You've got to be strong, too. Sometimes you have to tell them that they have to exit." Kimble and Gathers transferred together from USC to Loyola Marymount University (LMU). Lewis transferred to Pepperdine. Grande remained at USC.{{cite news |last=Hudson |first=Maryann |title=The death of Hank Gathers: Spencer sold USC on work ethic of a Philadelphia kid |date=March 6, 1990 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-03-06-sp-1872-story.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707004027/http://articles.latimes.com/print/1990-03-06/sports/sp-1872_1_hank-gathers |archive-date=July 7, 2012 |url-status=live }}
=Loyola Marymount=
Due to NCAA regulations, Gathers and Kimble could not play in the season following their transfer. They helped lead the Lions to a 28–4 record in 1987–88.{{cite news |last=Hersch |first=Hank |title=Gathers 'round The Rim |date=February 13, 1989 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url=http://cnnsi.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?expire=&title=Hank+Gathers+helped+Loyola+Marymount+win+181-150+-+02.13.89+-+SI+Vault&urlID=412992972&action=cpt&partnerID=289881&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fsportsillustrated.cnn.com%2Fvault%2Farticle%2Fmagazine%2FMAG1126533%2Findex.htm }} Gathers led the team that year in both scoring and rebounding (averaging 22.5 points and 8.7 rebounds per game), was named first-team All-WCC and was awarded the WCC tournament MVP.{{cite web |author=Loyola Marymount Athletics |author-link=Loyola Marymount Lions |title=2010–11 Loyola Marymount University Men's Basketball Media Almanac |work=LMULions.com |page=135 |date=November 2, 2010 |url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/loyo/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/201011-MBB-Media-Almanac.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708212910/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/loyo/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/201011-MBB-Media-Almanac.pdf |archive-date=July 8, 2011 |ref=loyola2010 |url-status=dead }}Loyola 2010, p.77 In the 1988–89 season, Gathers became the second player in NCAA Division I history to lead the nation in scoring and rebounding in the same season,{{efn|Xavier McDaniel was the first in 1984–85.}} averaging 32.7 points and 13.7 rebounds per game.{{cite news |last=Maxey |first=Wendell |title=Hank Gathers' legacy endures 20 years after tragic on-court death |date=March 4, 2010 |newspaper=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/2010-03-04-hank-gathers_N.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628222240/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/mensbasketball/2010-03-04-hank-gathers_N.htm |archive-date=June 28, 2011 |url-status=dead }} He was named WCC Player of the Year and again won the WCC Tournament MVP. On December 30, 1988, he scored a career-high 49 points along with 26 rebounds in a 130–125 win over Nevada.{{cite news|last=Peters|first=Nick|title=Hank Gathers' Star Shone Bright On and Off Basketball Court|date=March 6, 1990|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|agency=McClatchy News Service|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-03-06-sp-2118-story.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150119010508/http://articles.latimes.com/print/1990-03-06/sports/sp-2118_1_hank-gathers|archive-date=January 19, 2015|url-status=live}} After the season, he decided against declaring for the NBA draft.
As a senior in 1989–90, he was a candidate for national player of the year and projected as an NBA lottery pick. Gathers' head coach while at LMU, Paul Westhead, had instituted an extraordinarily fast-paced game plan. On offense, the Lions took numerous three-point shots, and typically shot the ball within 10 seconds of gaining possession. Their defense was a full-court press designed to force their opponents into a frenzied up-and-down game. Gathers' teams led Division I in scoring in 1988 (110.3 points per game), 1989 (112.5), and 1990 (122.4).{{cite web |author=NCAA |author-link=National Collegiate Athletic Association |title=2010–11 NCAA Men's Basketball Records - Division I Records |page=39 |work=NCAA.org |publisher=NCAA |date=November 10, 2010 |url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_basketball_RB/2011/D1.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110112182025/http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_basketball_RB/2011/D1.pdf |archive-date=January 12, 2011 |ref=ncaa2010 |url-status=dead }} LMU's 122.4 point per game in 1990 is still a record as of April 2012.NCAA 2010, p.5 As of April 2012, Loyola Marymount held the five highest combined score games in Division I history. Four of the five occurred during Gathers' career, including a record 331 in the 181–150 win over United States International University on January 31, 1989.NCAA 2010, pp.28–29
At {{convert|6|ft|7|in}} and {{convert|210|lb}}, Gathers was Loyola Marymount's strongest inside player. He had a high field goal percentage because he seldom shot from beyond {{convert|10|ft}}. He used his power and quickness for follow-up baskets and scoring on fast breaks. "I don't care much about the points," said Gathers. "In fact, I should lead the nation in scoring because of my rebounding. Anybody can score 30 points a night if that's what he's concentrating on. But rebounding is special because it comes from the heart."
Heart condition and death
On December 9, 1989, Gathers collapsed at an LMU home game against UC Santa Barbara.{{cite news |last=Eggers |first=Kerry |title=Remembering Hank Gathers |date=March 3, 2011 |newspaper=The Portland Tribune |url=http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/print_story.php?story_id=129910255170700800 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212083357/http://portlandtribune.com/sports/print_story.php?story_id=129910255170700800 |archive-date=February 12, 2018 |url-status=dead }} He was found to have an abnormal heartbeat (exercise-induced ventricular tachycardia), and was prescribed a beta blocker, Inderal. However, Gathers felt that the medication adversely affected his play, and his dosage was gradually cut back.{{cite web |last=Weinberg |first=Rick |title=62: Hank Gathers collapses, dies of a heart condition |work=ESPN.com |date=July 8, 2004 |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/espn25/story?page=moments/62 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524125224/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/espn25/story?page=moments/62 |archive-date=May 24, 2011 |url-status=live }} Originally prescribed at 240 milligrams per day, his Inderal dosage was cut to 40 mg per day over the next three months.{{cite news|last=Hudson|first=Maryann|title=A Legacy on Court, in Court|date=October 6, 1992|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-10-06-mn-476-story.html|access-date=November 16, 2019}} Gathers returned after sitting out for three weeks and missing two games, and he averaged 29.3 minutes and 29.15 points in his 20 games through the remainder of the season.{{cite news|title=The Last Months Of Hank Gathers|date=March 29, 1990|page=B-15|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/29/sports/basketball-the-last-months-of-hank-gathers.html|access-date=March 4, 2020}} However, he struggled with his play for weeks after returning. His play recovered in a nationally televised game against LSU on February 3, 1990, when he scored 48 points along with 13 rebounds while being guarded by future NBA first-round draft picks Stanley Roberts and Shaquille O'Neal in a 148–141 overtime loss.{{cite news| last=Herbert| first=Steven| title=The Pride of the Lions: Film follows the life of Loyola's Hank Gathers until his 'Final Shot' two years ago| date=April 19, 1992| newspaper=Los Angeles Times| url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-04-19-tv-600-story.html| archive-url=https://archive.today/20150119010526/http://articles.latimes.com/print/1992-04-19/news/tv-600_1_hank-gathers-story| archive-date=January 19, 2015| url-status=live}} The Lions won seven of their next eight games, and Gathers recorded a career-high 30 rebounds against Saint Mary's.
On February 26, 1990, as the WCC Tournament neared, Gathers' medication was reduced one last time from 80 to 40 mg, on the condition that he undergo testing in a couple of days to determine if it was safe and effective at suppressing the arrhythmias. He did not show up for his test that week and avoided calls from his cardiologist's office. On March 2, he had a long talk with the cardiologist, who told him to play and come in for the testing after the tournament concluded. It was later suspected Gathers was not taking any dosage on game days. The following day in the WCC tournament quarterfinals in Los Angeles, he recorded 28 points and 11 rebounds in a 121–84 win over Gonzaga.{{cite news|last=Buker|first=Paul|title=Gathers' Death Ends Tourney|date=March 5, 1990|newspaper=The Oregonian|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/behindbeaversbeat/2010/03/remembering_hank_gathers_our_c.html|access-date=November 24, 2019}}
On Sunday, March 4, Gathers collapsed again with 13:34 left in the first half of the semifinal game against the Portland Pilots. He had just scored a dunk on an alley-oop pass from point guard Terrell Lowery that put the Lions up 25–13. Thirteen seconds later while positioned around midcourt in the Lions' fullcourt press, he collapsed a yard or two away from Pilots point guard Erik Spoelstra.{{cite web |url= https://www.espn.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/columns/story?page=Spoelstra-110601 |title=The Mystery Guest Has Arrived |author=Arnovitz, Kevin |work=ESPN.com |date=June 1, 2011 |access-date=June 3, 2011 }} He attempted to get up, telling the athletic trainers, "I don't want to lay down!" Shortly after, he stopped breathing.From the ESPN 30 for 30 film "Guru of Go", premiered April 3, 2010 Gathers was pronounced dead at nearby Marina Del Rey Hospital at 6:55 PM PST.{{cite video | title=25 Years Later: The Night Hank Gathers Collapsed| date=March 4, 2015| time=0:00:12|work=Olbermann| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E51i1KdHLA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/0E51i1KdHLA |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live| access-date=November 16, 2019}}{{cbignore}} He was 23 years old.
Minutes after Gathers was taken to the hospital, the WCC commissioner suspended the game indefinitely.{{cite news| title=Loyola's Gathers Collapses, Dies| date=March 5, 1990| newspaper=Los Angeles Times| url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-03-05-sp-1455-story.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106133154/http://articles.latimes.com/1990-03-05/sports/sp-1455_1_gathers-collapses| archive-date=November 6, 2013| url-status=live}} ESPN showed graphic footage of Gathers' collapse on SportsCenter;{{cite news| last=Stewart| first=Larry| date=March 6, 1990| title=This Was a Story That Was Tough to Watch, and Difficult to Cover| newspaper=Los Angeles Times| url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-03-06-sp-1874-story.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106133158/http://articles.latimes.com/1990-03-06/sports/sp-1874_1_hank-gathers| archive-date=November 6, 2013| url-status=live}} the network was at the game recording advance footage for the championship game it was scheduled to televise the next night. Late that night, the WCC canceled the tournament and awarded Loyola the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament due to its WCC regular season title.{{cite news| last1=Hodges| first1=Jim| last2=Stewart| first2=Larry| title=Other Reactions: WCC Cancels Tournament; TV's Footage Is Dramatic| date=March 5, 1990| url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-03-05-sp-1505-story.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106133150/http://articles.latimes.com/1990-03-05/sports/sp-1505_1_wcc-cancels-tournament| archive-date=November 6, 2013| url-status=live| work=Los Angeles Times}}
File:Hank Gathers tombstone.jpg
Gathers was buried at the Mount Lawn Cemetery in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania. An autopsy found that he suffered from a heart-muscle disorder, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. His family later filed a $32.5 million lawsuit charging negligence.{{cite news |last=Hudson |first=Maryann |title=No Settlement in Gathers Suits : Litigation: Family attorney seeks videotape from ESPN to support case and is refused. |date=June 22, 1990 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-06-22-sp-239-story.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707080601/http://articles.latimes.com/print/1990-06-22/sports/sp-239_1_family-attorney |archive-date=July 7, 2012 |url-status=live }} Loyola Marymount settled out of court for $1.4 million, while the cardiologist who treated Gathers settled for $1 million.{{cite news |last=Hudson |first=Maryann |title=Loyola Settles Lawsuit by Gathers' Mother: Jurisprudence: She receives $545,000 |date=March 31, 1992 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-03-31-sp-241-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606093255/http://articles.latimes.com/print/1992-03-31/sports/sp-241_1_lucille-gathers |archive-date=June 6, 2022 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Hudson |first=Maryann |title=Gathers Lawsuit Is Dismissed: Jurisprudence: Case against two doctors ends when family members don't appear to testify |date=September 10, 1992 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-09-10-sp-283-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406231432/http://articles.latimes.com/print/1992-09-10/sports/sp-283_1_family-members |archive-date=April 6, 2022 |url-status=live }}
Legacy
Loyola Marymount was placed in the West Regional as the No. 11 seed in that season's NCAA tournament.{{cite news|title=1990 MEN'S NCAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT|work=CBSSports.com|url=https://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/ncaa-tournament/history/yearbyyear/1990|access-date=March 3, 2020}} Before the tournament, the right-handed Kimble vowed to shoot his first free throw of each game left-handed, in memory of Gathers. Though naturally right-handed, Gathers was a poor free-throw shooter and had switched to shooting them left-handed.{{cite news|title=Lions to return to practice floor|date=March 10, 1990|newspaper=The Baxter Bulletin|agency=AP|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45976155/|access-date=March 3, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news |last=Parrish |first=Gary |title=Memorable Moment No. 4: Bo's lefty tribute is right on target |date=February 22, 2007 |work=CBSSports.com |url=http://www.cbssports.com/print/collegebasketball/story/10015460/1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015151113/http://www.cbssports.com/print/collegebasketball/story/10015460/1 |archive-date=October 15, 2012 |url-status=dead }} The Lions advanced to the Elite Eight, including a victory over defending national champion Michigan, before falling to the eventual champions, UNLV. Kimble finished a perfect 3-for-3 on his left-handed free throws during the tournament.{{efn|Kimble shot free throws in three of Loyola's four tournament games, with none in their Sweet 16 win over Alabama.{{cite news|last=Klingaman|first=Mike|title=CINDERELLAS RELIVE DREAMS|date=March 16, 2006|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|url=https://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-xpm-20060316-2006-03-16-0603160273-story.html|access-date=March 3, 2020|via=DailyPress.com}}{{cite web|title=Bo Kimble 1989-90 Game Log|website=Sports-Reference.com|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/bo-kimble-1/gamelog/1990|access-date=March 3, 2020}}}} Both LMU's Cinderella story without Gathers and Kimble's left-handed tributes to him became part of NCAA tournament lore.{{cite news|last=Farudo|first=Jeff|title=NCAA Tournament: Best of the Bay|date=March 16, 2010|newspaper=The Mercury News|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2010/03/16/ncaa-tournament-best-of-the-bay/|access-date=March 3, 2020}}
Gathers was named a consensus second-team All-America and first team All-WCC selection for the season.{{cite web |author=NCAA |author-link=National Collegiate Athletic Association |title=NCAA Men's Basketball Records (Award Winners) |date=October 31, 2008 |page=137 |url=http://web1.ncaa.org/web_files/stats/m_basketball_RB/2009/Award.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727115120/http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_basketball_RB/2009/Award.pdf |archive-date=July 27, 2011 |url-status=dead }} He finished his career averaging 28.0 points and making 59 percent of his field goals, which were both school records as of 2010. He also averaged 11.1 rebounds for his career. He was voted WCC Player of the Decade for the 1980s.Loyola 2010, p.78
Gersten Pavilion, LMU's on-campus athletics facility, is known to Lions fans as "Hank's House", although that is not part of its official name.{{cite news |last=Drooz |first=Alan |title=As in His Life, Gathers Stirs Ovations : Memorial: Family, friends fill Gersten Pavilion to pay tribute to the late Loyola Marymount star. |date=March 7, 1990 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-03-07-sp-1960-story.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710002515/http://articles.latimes.com/print/1990-03-07/sports/sp-1960_1_gersten-pavilion |archive-date=July 10, 2012 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Plaschke |first=Bill |title=Hank Gathers lives on in his house |date=January 31, 2010 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-jan-31-la-sp-plaschke31-2010jan31-story.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707002653/http://articles.latimes.com/print/2010/jan/31/sports/la-sp-plaschke31-2010jan31 |archive-date=July 7, 2012 |url-status=live }} His No. 44 and Kimble's No. 30 were retired by LMU in a joint ceremony in 2000.{{cite news|last=Dufrense|first=Chris|title=Paying Respects in HANK'S HOUSE|date=February 20, 2000|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-feb-20-sp-919-story.html|access-date=March 4, 2020}} In 2005, the entire 1989–90 team was inducted into Loyola Marymount's Hall of Fame.{{cite news |last=Stephens |first=Eric |title=Lion Hearts Soar on a Special Night at Loyola |date=January 30, 2005 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-jan-30-sp-loyola30-story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105204838/http://articles.latimes.com/2005/jan/30/sports/sp-loyola30 |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |url-status=live }} On February 29, 2020, four days before the 30th anniversary of his death, a statue of Gathers was unveiled outside Gersten Pavilion. The statue was created by Rotblatt-Amrany, which designed multiple statues outside of the Staples Center in Los Angeles, as well as the Michael Jordan statue in Chicago.{{cite news|title=Hank Gathers Statue Unveiled at LMU|date=February 29, 2020|website=NBCLosAngeles.com|url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/sports/hank-gathers-statue-to-be-unveiled-at-lmu/2319956/|access-date=March 2, 2020}}
Gathers' life was dramatized in a 1992 TV movie, Final Shot: The Hank Gathers Story, with Victor Love starring as Gathers.{{cite news|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/17303/Final-Shot-The-Hank-Gathers-Story/overview|title=Final Shot: The Hank Gathers Story (1992)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103024004/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/17303/Final-Shot-The-Hank-Gathers-Story/overview|archive-date=November 3, 2012|department=Movies & TV Dept.|work=The New York Times|url-status=dead}} Gathers was part of the storyline in the ESPN film Guru of Go about Westhead, part of their 30 for 30 series.{{citation |last=Sepinwall |first=Allan |title=30 for 30, 'Guru of Go': Paul Westhead, Hank Gathers and Bo Kimble, together again |date=April 2, 2010 |newspaper=The Star-Ledger |url=http://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/index.ssf/2010/04/30_for_30_guru_of_go_paul_west.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303164150/http://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/index.ssf/2010/04/30_for_30_guru_of_go_paul_west.html |archive-date=March 3, 2011 |url-status=dead }}
Gathers' death reemerged in national news wires during the 2016 NBA Playoffs when Kimble, interviewed for the celebrity gossip website TMZ.com, urged that Miami Heat star Chris Bosh retire for health reasons. Bosh has been suffering from blood clotting issues that forced him to miss the last several months of both the 2014–15 and 2015–16 seasons, as well as the entirety of the 2016–17 season. While Bosh felt that he was healthy enough to continue playing, Kimble disagreed:{{cite web|url=http://www.tmz.com/2016/05/22/hank-gathers-bo-kimble-chris-bosh-retire/#ixzz49VGMfwUZ |title=Bo Kimble to Chris Bosh: Time to Retire; NBA Ain't Worth Dying For |publisher=TMZ.com |date=May 22, 2016 |access-date=May 23, 2016}}
There are so many other things he could do with his life. Hank Gathers had the same thing, Hank could have been a comedian, an actor or did speaking engagements. It's not worth the risk. I would just say absolutely not, don't do it. If Hank had the ability to do it again he wouldn't have paid the ultimate price ... I am sure [Bosh] has children and they are going to need their father around as much as possible.
Career statistics
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1985–86
| style="text-align:left;"| USC
| 28 || 12 || 23.9 || .529 || – || .576 || 5.1 || .8 || .6 || .4 || 8.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1987–88
| style="text-align:left;"| Loyola Marymount
| 32 || 31 || 29.6 || .562 || .000 || .543 || 8.7 || 1.3 || 1.4 || .7 || 22.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1988–89
| style="text-align:left;"| Loyola Marymount
| 31 || 31 || 34.1 || .608 || .000 || .562 || 13.7 || 2.1 || 1.4 || .7 || 32.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 1989–90
| style="text-align:left;"| Loyola Marymount
| 26 || 26 || 30.2 || .595 || .000 || .568 || 10.8 || 1.5 || 1.7 || .9 || 29.0
|-
|style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 117 || 100 || 29.6 || .585 || .000 || .560 || 9.6 || 1.4 || 1.3 || .7 || 23.3
|-
{{S-end}}
Awards and records
=Awards=
- 1989 WCC Player of the Year
- 2× WCC Tournament MVP (1988, 1989)
- Consensus second-team All-American (1990)
- 3× First-team All-WCC (1988, 1989, 1990)
- 2× All-WCC Tournament (1988, 1989)
=Records=
- Career points (2,490)
- Field goals made, career (1,037)
- Field goals made, season (419)
- Free throws attempted, career (745)
- Free throws attempted, season (315)
- Career scoring average (28.0)
- Field goals made, game (24)
- Field goals attempted, game (37)
- Field goal percentage, career (.590)
- Rebounds, game (29)
=Achievements=
Personal life
Gathers was 16 when his son, Aaron Crump, was born. Crump was age six when his father died. He received $1.5 million from Gathers' wrongful-death lawsuits.{{cite news|first=Josh|last=Peters|title=Hank Gathers' son carries the weight of basketball legend's tragic death 30 years later|date=March 4, 2020|newspaper=USA Today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2020/03/04/hank-gathers-son-carries-weight-basketball-stars-1990-death/4943027002/|access-date=March 4, 2022}} He gained control of the money when he turned 18. It became a problem for Crump, who later described himself as a "young black male with no guidance" at that time. He pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with a weapon, and was in a state prison from 2007 until 2012. By the time he was released, the settlement money he received from Gathers' death had been squandered. Crump became a salesperson. He also mentors children through the Hank Gathers Legacy Group that he founded.{{cite news|last=Jerardi|first=Dick|title=Remembering Hank, 25 years later|date=February 27, 2015|newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News|url=https://www.inquirer.com/college-sports/inq/hank-gathers-20150227.html|access-date=November 13, 2019}}
Gathers' nephew, D.J. Rivera, played college basketball at St. Joesph's University before transferring to Binghamton University and leading the America East Conference in scoring with the Binghamton Bearcats in the 2008–09 season,{{cite news|first1=Mike|last1=Jansen|first2=Ray|last2=Parillo|title=Binghamton's Rivera, a Philly kid, puts snub behind|date=March 19, 2009|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|page=E8|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer/126438729/|access-date=June 15, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}} in which they won the conference for the first time and earned their first bid to the NCAA tournament, where Rivera scored 20 points in a first-round loss against Duke.{{cite news|title=Western Washington wins first Div. II crown|date=March 25, 2012|newspaper=Star-Gazette|page=5D|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-gazette/126439009/|access-date=June 15, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news |title=Binghamton's Rivera makes his case against the tide |date=March 20, 2009 |newspaper=Philadelphia Inquirer |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/collegebasketball/story/Binghamton%27s-Rivera-makes-his-case-against-the-tide?r_src=ramp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104030347/http://msn.foxsports.com/collegebasketball/story/Binghamton%27s-Rivera-makes-his-case-against-the-tide?r_src=ramp |archive-date=January 4, 2014 |url-status=dead |access-date=March 8, 2011 }} He later transferred to the University of Montevallo, losing in the Division II championship game in 2012. Another nephew, Jordan Gathers, earned a bachelor's degree at St. Bonaventure University and played three seasons for their Bonnies basketball team from 2011 to 2014. He played a final season with Butler in 2015–16 as a graduate transfer.{{cite news|last=Braziller|first=Zach|title=Jordan Gathers carries legacy of Loyola Marymount legend|date=March 3, 2016|newspaper=New York Post|url=https://nypost.com/2016/03/03/jordan-gathers-carries-legacy-of-loyola-marymount-legend/|access-date=November 13, 2019}}{{cite web |url=http://butlersports.com/sports/m-baskbl/2015-16/bios/gathers_jordan_uy59 |title=Men's Basketball Bios: 5 - Jordan Gathers |publisher=Butler Bulldogs |access-date=May 23, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525133550/http://butlersports.com/sports/m-baskbl/2015-16/bios/gathers_jordan_uy59 |archive-date=May 25, 2016 }}
See also
- Sudden cardiac death of athletes
- List of basketball players who died during their careers
- List of NCAA Division I men's basketball season rebounding leaders
- List of NCAA Division I men's basketball season scoring leaders
- List of NCAA Division I men's basketball players with 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
Further reading
- {{cite book |last=Keiderling |first=Kyle |title=Heart of a Lion: The Life, Death and Legacy of Hank Gathers |publisher=Morningstar Books |isbn=978-0-9778996-8-5 |year=2010}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [http://www.lmulions.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/hank_gathers_559306.html LMU Lions bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906024942/http://www.lmulions.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/hank_gathers_559306.html |date=September 6, 2015 }}
- [http://www.dailynews.com/ci_14516994?source=rss Remembering a fallen Lion, 20 years later] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110621232118/http://www.dailynews.com/ci_14516994?source=rss |date=June 21, 2011 }}
- [http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/colleges/20100304_Stan_Hochman__Hank_Gathers_still_touching_friends__strangers_20_years_after_his_death.html Stan Hochman: Hank Gathers still touching friends, strangers 20 years after his death]
- [http://www.contracostatimes.com/sports/ci_14507813?source=rss Poole: Hank Gathers had heart until he died, 20 years ago Thursday]
- [http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindbeaversbeat/2010/03/march_4_1990_hank_gathers_coll.html March 4, 1990: Hank Gathers collapses, a day I will never forget as a reporter]
- [http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2010/03/02/twenty-years-after-hank-gathers-stirs-memories-for-his-family/?ncid=edlinkusspor00000003 Twenty Years After: Hank Gathers Stirs Memories for His Family] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100316094847/http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2010/03/02/twenty-years-after-hank-gathers-stirs-memories-for-his-family/?ncid=edlinkusspor00000003 |date=March 16, 2010 }}
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