University of Minnesota Athletics
Golden Gopher Retired Numbers
5/5/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
jersey retired on March 5, 1973
It seems fitting a man who stood 6’9”, 225-pounds would be nicknamed “Papa.” The title of Captain fit equally as well after he was voted team MVP for the third consecutive year. When he led the team to the 1971-72 Big Ten Crown, that man earned the right to be called a champion.
James Turner Brewer, with a hard-nosed game to match a humble personality and brilliant smile, was a Gopher-fan favorite from 1971-73. While teammates and family knew him as “Papa,” it was cheers of “Brew” that used to cascade down the Williams Arena seats after every Brewer blocked shot.
Brewer came to the “U” from Maywood, Illinois after he graduated from Proviso East High School. He averaged 16 rebounds, 15 points and 11 blocks while leading the team to a state championship his senior year. His talent caught the attention of many sportswriters as Brewer was unanimously voted First Team All-State and selected as Illinois’ “Mr. Basketball” by the Chicago Tribune.
Brewer’s play was unlike any big-man of his time, including then-UCLA star Bill Walton. It was Brewer’s unique ability to ball handle and pass that set him apart from other centers/forwards. With intimidating size and strength, Brewer had a knack for grabbing rebounds and thwarting opponent’s shot attempts. Brewer’s quickness was unparalleled by players his size and allowed him to guard anyone on the court, including guards. Defense was his specialty and it caught the attention of those around the Big Ten and the nation.
“Jim has been tabbed Mr. Defense’ in this area, and we are certain it will spread. In times when the offense is flying in basketball, it’s refreshing to see someone trying to work the other side. And with (Coach Bill) Musselman coming in, Brewer’s play on defense should be all the more exciting to view. Without question he is Minnesota’s next All-American basketball player,” former University of Minnesota Sports Information Director Tom Greenhoe wrote after Brewer’s sophomore year.
After Brewer’s first year with the varsity squad, a year he was voted Second Team All-Big Ten by the A.P. and U.P.I., Brewer wasn’t satisfied with his performance. Brewer felt he hadn’t utilized his talents and was playing short of his ability. Brewer found his role on the team next season, he concentrated on defense, rebounding and being a team leader to meet his only goal, winning.
Leadership was perhaps the most important of Brewer’s attributes. It didn’t get Brewer much attention, but Brewer’s coaches and teammates knew his leadership was invaluable to the team’s success.
In a game against Big Ten rival Illinois during the 1972-73 season, Brewer’s leadership rallied the Gophers to an 82-73 win. The Gophers were up one point late in the second half, and Illinois star Nick Weatherspoon was on a scoring spree. After Weatherspoon came down the floor and hit a jumpshot over Minnesota Forward Ron Behagen, Brewer shouted “I’m taking him” to coach Bill Musselman. Weatherspoon was held scoreless the remainder of the game and Brewer was awarded Big Ten Player of the Week for his efforts.
During an award ceremony for Brewer, Musselman detailed exactly what makes Brewer a successful basketball player.
“Jim blocked a potential winning shot at Purdue in the closing seconds of the game. He does so many things that just don’t show in the box scores. How many big players can bring the ball up the court against the press the way Jim can? Besides he was tremendous on the boards and took the center jumps for us,” Musselman said.
That’s not to say Brewer didn’t do his share of scoring. With the University of Minnesota frosh team (freshman were not eligible to play on varsity at that time) Brewer led one of the finest freshman teams in the nation with 21 points per game. He exploded onto the Minnesota varsity scene; Brewer scored 20 points in his first game and led Minnesota to an 85-61 win over the University of North Dakota. After that game (in which he also grabbed 11 rebounds) he went into the locker room and scribbled on the blackboard “I ain’t satisfied.” He never was.
Brewer averaged 16.6 points per contest his sophomore season and currently ranks 29th in scoring in school history with 1,009 career points.
Arguably the two most impressive aspects of Brewer’s game were his maturity and determination to win.
As this recent NBA offseason has shown us, egos can be a problem when a number of stars are on the same team. At age 18, Brewer understood what it took to build a championship team. Brewer’s sophomore season he had outstanding individual stats, but the team struggled to win games. Brewer made a commitment after that season to do whatever it takes to win games.
For the next two seasons Brewer’s scoring slipped significantly. But due to his ferocious defense and work on the boards, he led Minnesota to the Big Ten Championship, NCAA quarterfinal appearance and received a myriad of awards.
Brewer kept the team in mind whenever he was presented with awards. At his acceptance speech for the Big Ten MVP, Brewer raved about his teammates, he added “every member of the team worked hard, just one man doesn’t make a team champion.”
The list of Brewer’s collegiate accolades goes on and on: The only player in school history to be voted team MVP three years in a row. Honorable mention All- Big Ten, Second Team All-Big Ten, First Team All-NCAA Tournament, Big Ten MVP, First Team All-Big Ten, First Team All-American, Second Team All- American and won the “M” award which was given annually to the best student-athlete from each Big Ten school.
Brewer’s stellar play in college helped open playing doors outside of college ball. Brewer was chosen for an Olympic developmental team after his sophomore season and was selected to represent the United States for the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany. Brewer went on to start at center for the team and was a key player for the Americans.
“Against Cuba,” Minnesota coach Bill Musselman said, “he held their leading scorer to four points. That’s the way Jim played for us-unselfishly. (Brewer) is always taking the toughest man and stopping him. Making a screen for someone else’s jumpshot. He’s a coach’s dream.”
Of course, Brewer couldn’t quite rally the American team to gold that year. The U.S. team lost in the infamous game against the Soviet Union due to a controversial call at the end of the game.
Rather than take the second-place medal, Brewer and his teammates voted not to accept any medal.
“We hadn’t earned the silver medal,” Brewer said afterwards. “We had won the gold medal. That’s the medal we had earned, so why accept something else.”
Brewer was named to the United States All-Star team after his senior season, was voted Most Valuable Player and won the “Star of Stars” award following the National Basketball Coach’s Association All-Star Game.
Brewer had worked hard on his game and was now reaping the rewards. His dedication eventually earned the second overall pick in the 1973 NBA draft and a selection by the New Jersey Nets of the ABA.
Brewer decided to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who were coached by former Gopher coach Bill Fitch. Fitch recruited Brewer for Minnesota in 1970, but left the team for a professional job before he could coach Brewer.
Some people criticized the Cavaliers’ decision to trade two starters to the Portland Trailblazers for the second pick. The move was primarily made in order to draft Brewer. But Fitch was looking for a dominating forward to rebound and block shots, Brewer was his man. “I know he’s got a big heart and he’ll battle 82 games a year,” Fitch added after the draft.
Jim Brewer played nine seasons in the NBA with Cleveland, Detroit, Portland and Los Angeles. In his last season as a pro, Brewer once again proved he is a champion as his 1982 Los Angeles Lakers team won the NBA championship.
The University of Minnesota retired Brewer’s jersey, number 52, on March 5, 1973. Sure, Jim “Papa” Brewer stood 6’9”, but the legacy he left behind is immeasurable.
#43 Mychal Thompson
jersey retired on March 4, 1978
Nassau, Bahamas is roughly 2,100 miles from the Twin Cities. The sunny beaches and hot weather are a far cry from Minnesota. But as fate would have it, it took a man from this tropical paradise to ignite the formerly cold University of Minnesota basketball program.
Mychal Thompson spent his childhood days swimming in crystal clear waters, playing with his brothers and excelling as a soccer goalie. He didn’t play basketball, no one on the islands did. Fortunately for Thompson, his older brother made a suggestion that would change his life forever.
“When I was a sophomore, I was 6-5 and my older brother suggested I start working at the game. He told me that as long as I was growing as fast as I was, I should work at basketball,” Thompson said.
Thompson, a charismatic, intelligent and naturally gifted athlete, moved to Miami to live with his aunt after his sophomore year of high school. “There wasn’t a lot of organized basketball in Nassau, but I knew that a lot of kids from the Bahamas had transferred to Miami Jackson when they were in high school and liked it there,” Thompson said.
Sure, he had potential, but with such little basketball experience, he would be lucky to make the team, much less become a dominant player. No one would have predicted that less than six years later, Thompson would be one of the most proficient scorers in Big Ten history.
Thompson, all 6-10 of him, arrived on campus a wide-eyed freshman, a long way from home. The coaches thought they had a star on their hands, and Thompson came out of the gates quickly, affirming the staff’s suspicions.
Nicknamed “Sweet Bells” because of the jingle-bells he wore on his shoes during games, Thompson played in 23 games his eight boards per game. With fluid offensive moves, arms destined to grab rebounds and a distinctly likable personality, Thompson immediately became a Gopher fan-favorite. Fans used to call Thompson “The Franchise,” and they couldn’t have picked a more fitting designation.
“Thompson may be the best center we’ll play against all year,” said legendary former Marquette basketball coach Al McGuire heading into the 1975-76 season. That’s a big compliment considering Thompson had only one Big Ten season under his belt. But there was a reason Al McGuire was so respected amongst those in basketball, he knew what he was talking about.
Thompson almost doubled his offensive and rebounding production his sophomore season. He set a school record for points in a season, 647, and in scoring average, 25.9. Coaches and media members from all around the country were in awe, often referring to Thompson as the best big man in nation.
His statistics are impressive enough, but Thompson was also a funny, outgoing student-athlete who was rarely without a smile on his face. He always made time for media members, even if that meant engaging in some out of the ordinary scenarios.
During one interview for a feature story, a reporter requested that Thompson pose in a suit, holding a leash attached to a rabbit, on a busy downtown Minneapolis intersection.
“It was a weird sight. A tall guy holding a little rabbit by a leash? People kept walking past and asking what kind of rabbit it was. I didn’t know, they all looked the same to me,” Thompson said. “I bet the whole thing broke the monotony of the work day for the employees at the bank,” Thompson joked.
That’s right, Thompson was rarely without a smile on his face. Although there was a period of time in Thompson’s career that probably made smiling more of a challenge.
During his junior year, allegations arose that Thompson had broken NCAA rules by selling his season tickets for more than face value. Thompson claimed he didn’t know about the rule.
“I thought the tickets were mine to do with as I pleased,” he said. The university claimed vagueness in the wording of the rule made it void and insisted the NCAA not punish Thompson.
After numerous court appearances, the NCAA finally ruled to suspend Thompson for seven games of his senior season. The superstar was disappointed, but as is his nature, continued to stay positive.
“If there’s anything I’ve learned through all this, it’s patience,” Thompson said.
Some claimed the “scandal” would tarnish Thompson’s brilliant collegiate career, Thompson just kept doing what he was best at, having fun and playing basketball.
The 1977-78 season was another outstanding one for Thompson. With the help of teammates Ray Williams and a freshman named Kevin McHale, Thompson and the Gophers were perennial contenders for the Big Ten crown. Thompson broke the school scoring record this season, with 1,529 points and was voted First Team All-Big Ten and Second Team All-American. The scary part was he still had one year of eligibility remaining. However, that didn’t necessarily mean he would be back with the Golden Gophers for his senior season. Many NBA and ABA teams were trying to convince Thompson to turn pro.
In a remarkable move, Thompson decided to return for his final year. After serving his suspension, Thompson quickly regained his old form. He was voted team captain and had arguably his finest year as a Golden Gopher. His jumping ability and infamous one-handed release helped Thompson average 22.1 points per game, 10.9 rebounds per game and shoot an incredible .630 from the field. The cool Bahamian achieved what would have seemed like a crazy dream only a few years before, he was unanimously voted a First Team Associated Press All-American.
“I suppose someday I may get another player as talented as Mychal. But I’m not sure I’ll see any with the combination of talent and class that Mychal has,” said former Gopher Basketball Coach Jim Dutcher.
Through all the peaks and valleys of his career at the “U,” Thompson remained upbeat and focused. Although things didn’t go quite as planned, Thompson wouldn’t change a thing.
“I don’t regret coming to Minnesota, and even knowing what I do, I’d make the same decision again,” Thompson said. “I’ve enjoyed my four years.” And so he should have. For his collegiate career, Thompson had 1,992 points, a school record, 1,477 in-conference points, a Big Ten record. He also grabbed 956 rebounds, knocked down 823 field goals, attempted 500 free throws and shot .568 from the floor, all U of M records. For Thompson, records were something destined to be shattered.
In the following NBA draft, Thompson was selected first overall by the Portland Trail Blazers. “Imagine a kid from the Bahamas being selected No. 1,” Thompson said emphatically.
Thompson’s success was having a big impact on kids back in the Bahamas, Thompson takes great pride in his social influence.
“When I was growing up, nobody played basketball, we all played soccer. Now, because of my success, everybody plays basketball,” Thompson said.
Thompson played 12 years in the NBA, he averaged 13.7 points per game and snatched 7.4 boards a game for his career. He didn’t dominate the way he did in college, but Thompson was a solid role player who won three NBA Championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1987-88,88-89 and 89-90 seasons.
On March 4, 1978, Thompson’s No. 43 was officially retired during an elaborate halftime ceremony of the Michigan State game, the final game of Thompson’s career. Thompson’s jersey was only the second to be officially retired at that point. Representatives from the Bahamas were on hand to congratulate Thompson for his achievements, including Ambassador Livingstone B. Johnson.
Earlier in the game, Thompson broke the conference scoring record formerly held by Purdue’s Rick Mount. A turnaround jump shot with 12:53 left in the first half gave Thompson his fifth and sixth points of the night and put him over Mount’s record of 1,461. The game was stopped momentarily and Thompson presented the ball to his mother.
Who would’ve guessed it? He was born 2,100 miles away on a tropical island, but it was in cold Minnesota where Thompson cemented his position in college basketball history. Now his storied career and jersey number are safe inside the familiar confines of Williams Arena. In a brief address after his number was retired, Thompson said “This is a great honor and I thank you for it. I love you, Minnesota.”
#44 Kevin McHale
jersey retired on October 18, 1993
Winter in Northern Minnesota is not a joke. The frigid temperatures bite your toes and go right through your clothes. But in a land with 10,000 lakes, the temperature also provides the perfect surface for kids to hone their hockey skills.
In Hibbing, Minn., a humble mining town in northern Minnesota, this holds true. When it’s time to choose a winter sport, it goes without saying that more kids have sticks in their hands than do basketballs.
So why would a kid from Hibbing put down his stick and choose to start playing basketball? Let’s just say it was more that basketball chose him. Entering high school, Kevin McHale was 6’5” and growing, a bit too tall for a hockey player.
“When I went to the local sports store and asked for a pair of size 13 skates, the guy gave me kind of a funny look. It was right about then that I decided maybe I should just ask for sneakers,” McHale said.
Besides his physical features, there was another reason McHale decided to become a gym-rat instead of a rink-rat. “One night, after we got done playing hockey, I went into the warming shack and couldn’t feel my feet at all. I said to my brother that’s it, it was a heck of a lot warmer in the gymnasium,” McHale said.
Thanks to the cold of those northern Minnesota nights, McHale would soon become one of the hottest basketball products around.
That’s not to say McHale became an instant star once he dedicated himself to basketball, it was quite the opposite. McHale enjoyed a very successful high school career. He was named all-state, took Hibbing to the state tournament and was named Mr. Basketball Minnesota in 1975.
However many coaches viewed McHale as a local product, a kid who excelled due to a lack of competition. While he posted big numbers in high school, McHale failed to attract national attention. Besides, what coach would want to visit Hibbing in the winter and face that same cold that turned McHale into a basketball player in the first place?
The two Division I schools which showed significant interest in McHale were the University of Minnesota and the University of Utah. By the time Utah assistant coach Jim Marsh flew to Minnesota for a routine recruiting visit, he knew plenty about McHale’s game. Unfortunately for Marsh, he didn’t know much about Minnesota winters or automobile heaters. After landing in Duluth and renting a car, Marsh drove 70 miles to Hibbing. Marsh turned on the car’s heater, but didn’t realize he had to turn on the car’s fan too. It was one frigid trip for Marsh.
“After Coach Marsh visited, I didn’t hear too much from recruiters. He must have told them all that it just wasn’t worth going all the way up to the Arctic to watch some big white kid,” McHale said in a 1979 interview.
Although the “U” had shown interest in McHale, then-coach Jim Dutcher wasn’t even in town for McHale’s official visit. McHale wasn’t offended like some recruits may have been; he genuinely enjoyed playing basketball and considered it an honor to be offered a scholarship. His positive attitude stemmed from his modest Hibbing background.
Once McHale arrived on campus, it didn’t take long for his coaches and teammates to see McHale was a big-time talent. McHale had spent some time the summer before his freshman year working with now Timberwolves Head Coach Flip Saunders. Saunders helped McHale work on his weaknesses and showed McHale what to expect at the college level. They also found time to relax and fish, as McHale valued his time away from the gym as much as he did his time in it.
McHale also played pick-up games with already established stars Mychal Thompson, Jim Brewer and Mark Olberding on the Minneapolis playgrounds. These games proved McHale could handle the competition of the Big Ten.
During preseason practices, McHale surprised everyone when he was able to hold his own versus Thompson, an All-American. “Playing against another team is a breather for me after going up against McHale all week. And I’m not kidding, he is really tough inside. I have to work like the devil to score against him,” Thompson said.”
That’s a lot of praise for a nationally known, All-America center to be giving a freshman reserve player. “I find it hard to believe he is a freshman. That cat has some cool moves on offense, too. I’m just glad he is a teammate and not playing for some other Big Ten team. He is going to be something else,” Thompson said.
Besides McHale’s increased maturity as a basketball player, his physical maturity helped propel McHale into the spotlight.
As a high school senior, McHale stood 6-8 and 200 pounds. Entering his freshman year at the University of Minnesota, McHale grew to 6-11 and 220 lbs.
The pieces of the puzzle were coming together to make McHale one of the best forwards in the nation. “By the time Kevin graduates, he’ll be 7-foot and weigh 255 pounds,” Dutcher said. “Kevin is going to be one of the best players in the country. He can do so many things so well right now, and yet the simple truth is, he’s just a growing boy,” Dutcher said during McHale’s freshman season.
By the end of his inaugural season with the Golden Gophers, a season in which McHale scored 12 points per game and shot 55 percent from the field, McHale already had pro scouts rating him as one of top freshman prospects in the nation. That's pretty incredible for a guy who barely attracted collegiate attention one year before.
After a solid freshman campaign, McHale was chosen by then Indiana Head Coach Bob Knight to represent the United States in the Pan American games held in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
At these games, McHale learned a lot about the game of basketball. Coach Knight taught him how to excel by using his body more, a lesson that would prove invaluable in the rugged Big Ten.
Coming back for his sophomore year, McHale was a different type of player. He played with a new vigor and aggressiveness, which he learned from playing with other All-Americans at the Pan-Am games. He led the team in field goal percentage (60.7) and blocks, 1.8 per contest.
After helping the Gophers to a 17-10 record and a second place finish in the Big Ten, McHale was chosen to represent the United States on the 1980 Olympic team. It had been a life long dream to participate in the Olympics, but due to a U.S. boycott, McHale’s dream would remain just that. “I just think it’s really a shame that athletics has become so political,” said McHale.
“It’s a power struggle, kind of like where they’re saying democracy is better than communism. I hope we do compete in the Olympics for everybody’s sake. I’m talking about athletes where that’s their whole life,” McHale said.
That’s Kevin McHale for you. Never thinking of only himself, McHale has the ability to see the “whole” picture, including issues outside of basketball, a quality hard to find with athlete’s inflated popularity and egos.
On the basketball court, it’s the same. McHale never thought only about his statistics or where he would be taken in the NBA draft. McHale fought through injuries, trained relentlessly and excelled as a leader, all in the name of producing a winning team. His junior and senior seasons were sensational as he scored 17.9 and 17.4 points per game, respectively. Besides scoring, McHale led the team in rebounds, blocks and field goal percentage each of those years.
McHale had come into his own as a player and had earned “star” status. He had NBA scouts drooling over his potential and he had been named to so many All- American, All-Conference and All-Tournament teams that it’s hard to keep track.
McHale left his mark on Golden Gopher basketball. He is the fifth-highest scoring player in school history, with 1,704 points. He grabbed the second most boards with 950 and is the school’s all-time block leader with 235. His number 44 was retired on Nov. 18, 1993.
With the third pick in the 1980 NBA draft, the Boston Celtics selected McHale to be the future of their franchise.
As McHale’s fame continued to increase, he stayed true to his Hibbing roots, he never allowed basketball, or the fame it brought, become too big a part of his life. Fans appreciated McHale’s down to earth, honest personality just as much as they appreciated his signature one-handed jumpshot.
McHale played 13 seasons with the Boston Celtics, bringing three World Championships to Boston. His trophy case is more than full after garnering honors including the NBA Sixth Man Award, All-NBA First Team, NBA All-Defensive first team, NBA All-Rookie Team and the All-Star team. McHale retired after the 1993 NBA season, leaving a legacy as big as his seven foot frame. His unique brand of low post moves, sweet jumpshot and ferocious defense haven’t been duplicated since. McHale was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Oct. 1, 1999. He is currently the vice president of basketball operations and general manager of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Kevin McHale has enjoyed quite the storied basketball career. From a tall, skinny kid who preferred a warm gym over a frozen pond, to a NBA Hall of Famer, McHale will be remembered for his sense of humor and spirited personality just as much as he will for his basketball prowess.
#14 Lou Hudson
jersey retired on March 5, 1994
Watching Louis Hudson glide up and down the Williams Arena hardwood must have been quite a sight. He was tall and lanky, but extremely smooth and fast. “Sweet Lou,” as he was known to Golden Gopher fans, was perhaps the most complete player in school history. Owner of a wide repertoire of scoring moves and shots, Hudson was also one of the most dominant defenders in the Big Ten. His 6-5 frame and strong legs gave him leaping ability to grab rebounds and also gave him the speed of a jaguar. Hudson ran a 9.98 100-meter dash and lettered in track for the “U” as well.
Let’s not forget that he played almost his entire senior season with a broken right wrist. A feat that speaks more about his passion, drive and character than any of the baskets he made, shots he swatted or races he won.
Hudson was born and raised in Greensboro, N.C. He played basketball constantly as a kid, and quickly realized he had some talent. But the ultimate goal was never to pursue a career in professional basketball, Hudson explained. “Basketball just didn’t get the exposure back then like it does now. I think I saw one game on TV growing up, and didn't see a pro or college game in person until I came to Minnesota and saw the Lakers play an exhibition game in Minneapolis,” Hudson said. “I just played because I enjoyed the game, not because I had dreams of stardom.”
Besides who would want to play basketball when you’re also the star quarterback of your high school football team? Hudson was so impressive on the gridiron that he was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1965 NFL Draft, despite not having played football since high school. “I was gung-ho on football,” Hudson said. “But I preferred basketball because I excelled at it more.”
Talk about an understatement. Hudson was recruited by countless universities to play basketball, including nearby Wake Forest University. Former Demon Deacon Head Coach Horace “Bones” McKinney knew of Hudson’s limitless potential and wanted to recruit Hudson, but the racial policies of the time prevented him from doing so. McKinney instead called former Golden Gopher Head Basketball Coach John Kundla, whom he knew from his NBA days, and recommended Kundla recruit Hudson to come to Minnesota, where such racial barriers had been broken down. Hudson would become only the third African American to earn a basketball letter at the university.
“I knew absolutely nothing about Minnesota, the University, the team...nothing,” Hudson said.
The lack of familiarity also concerned the coaching staff. In this era of college basketball, recruiting and travel budgets for college athletics was practically nonexistent compared to today. Many times coaches trusted the recommendations of other coaches and sources when recruiting a player. Such was the case with Hudson and the Minnesota coaches. They only knew about Hudson through McKinney, and Hudson only knew of Minnesota through his geography class.
“I basically came to Minnesota because assistant coach Glen Reed did an incredible sales job when he came to visit me in Greensboro. He really impressed everyone back home,” Hudson said.
The University of Minnesota coaches knew they had a basketball phenomenon with an uncommon ability to win games. Unfortunately for them, NCAA rules prohibited freshmen from playing with the varsity team.
Hudson’s inaugural year with the U of M varsity was a successful one to say the least. He averaged 18.1 points per game while shooting .439 from the field. He proved he deserved to be a starter in the Big Ten and led the Golden Gophers to a third place conference finish. At the end of the season Hudson was voted Second Team All-Big Ten by the Associated Press.
Hudson’s second season was even better. He piloted the Maroon and Gold to a 19-5 (11-3 in Big Ten play) record, but finished second in the Big Ten, falling to a powerful Michigan squad. Minnesota was ranked as high as No. 3 in the A.P. poll, the highest a U of M team had been ranked at that point. Hudson finished year leading the team in scoring, 23.3 points per game, and in rebounds, 10.3 per game. After the successful 1964-65 season, Hudson was named to several All-American teams and was named First Team All-Big Ten by the Associated Press. The Associated Press however, had not named Hudson to it’s first, second or third All-American teams, something that nobody could quite explain.
“It’s a joke, leaving him off those teams. There’s no one in the country who can handle him,” Kundla said. “He’s great on defense. He’s great with his rebounding. If there is an All-American basketball player in the country, he’s one.”
Professional basketball (and football) teams were knocking at the door. Hudson decided there were still phases of his game that he could improve and decided to stay. Over the summer he played in numerous all-star games and tournaments. He was the leading scorer for the United States team which won the gold medal in the 1965 World University Games.
He also had matured to the point where he knew he had to work on improving his weaknesses if he wanted to be considered a great player. “I knew I could score and play defense. I wanted to work on my rebounding. I wanted to become the best all-around player,” Hudson said.
He did just that. Heading into his senior year, Hudson was a certified superstar. Expectations were high for Hudson and for the team which was one game away from winning a Big Ten title the previous year. As the season drew nearer, Hudson was going to be counted on to play a number of positions. The team needed his shooting at guard. They needed his speed and rebounding at forward. They need his height and defense at the post. Basically, the team needed Louis Hudson.
But then the unthinkable happened. Four games into the 1965-66 season, Hudson’s storybook career was threatened as he suffered a broken bone in his right wrist against Creighton. For most players, almost all players, this would have been a season or possibly career ending injury. Not for Hudson. There was no way he would let an injury keep him out of the action.
“When the injury happened, I never really had thoughts of my season being over, I just thought, Well, I’ll learn how to shoot left-handed then,” Hudson said. Shoot left-handed? Play with a broken wrist? He couldn’t have been serious.
He was. After being fitted with a protective cast and teaching himself how to shoot left-handed, Hudson was back in the starting lineup only two weeks later. This is how a true champion overcomes adversity and comes through for his team. Hudson played the remainder of the Golden Gopher schedule with a broken arm.
He still dominated, averaging 19.8 points per game and leading Minnesota to a third place Big Ten finish. The squad would, arguably, have won the Big Ten that year had it not been for the seven games Hudson missed. The team went 3-4 in that span.
The injury cost Hudson in honors as well. He was not selected to an All-America team following his senior year and was only voted Second Team All-Big Ten. It didn’t matter however. Hudson had already established himself a star, helped put Minnesota basketball on the map and still had professional teams from the ABA, NBA, NFL, and European basketball leagues seeking his services.
Hudson was fond of his memories at the University of Minnesota, both on and off the basketball court. “I can remember walking across the bridge from the West Bank to the East Bank before the walkway was enclosed, and boy, was it cold,” Hudson recalled.
“My time at Minnesota was a great experience, something I’ll never regret. It was great playing in The Barn’. I will always remember how the great the fans, students and people of Minnesota were to me. They always gave me tremendous support,” Hudson said.
Following his tremendous college career, Hudson went on to star in 13 NBA seasons. He amassed nearly 18,000 points and finishing 12th upon retirement on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Hudson was drafted by the St. Louis/Atlanta Hawks, with whom he played nine seasons for. In his self-proclaimed best game, Hudson scored 57 points against the Chicago Bulls, Nov. 10, 1969.
Hudson was voted to six All-Star games while with the Hawks and finished out the last two seasons of his career with the Los Angeles Lakers. His down-to- earth personality and business first mentality made it easy to like Lou Hudson. His moves on the court made it easy to appreciate his natural athletic ability and hard work. And on March 5, 1994, the University of Minnesota made it easy for Hudson to understand what he meant to the University, the basketball program and the fans. Louis Hudson joined the ranks of Jim Brewer, Mychal Thompson and Kevin McHale when his jersey, number 14, was raised to the Williams Arena rafters.
“When people ask me what it means to me to have my jersey retired, first I say, I’m getting old.’ Then I say, What took so long,” Hudson quipped. “After your playing days are over, you appreciate being remembered for things you did many years before.”
