On Monday, Legendary basketball coach Pete Newell died at the age of 93. Newell led the University of California to the 1959 NCAA National Championship and led the U.S. Olympic team to a gold medal in 1960. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1979. But Newell is probably best known for founding the Pete Newell Big Man camps. Through his decades long work of tutoring post players, Newell's influence on the modern game of basketball has been profound. John Doleva, President & CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame issued the following statement:
"Coach Newell was one of the most beloved and revered coaches in the game influencing the careers and success of so many others --including many contemporary coaches now elected to the Hall of Fame. His wit and wisdom will be missed but certainly not forgotten. He truly loved the game and has contributed so much to its growth and popularity..."
In a 2007 interview with Mike Greenberg on ESPN's Mike and Mike in the Morning, Bob Knight said of Newell, "he was as good as anybody who's ever coached this game."
Mike DeCourcy has an excellent tribute to Coach Newell in the Sporting News.
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