The basketball world lost three notable figures over the past few days with the deaths of Clifford Robinson, Lute Olson and actor Chadwick Boseman.
The NBA honored these greats with imagery on the court's video screens in Orlando, Florida before playoff basketball returns, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania:
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 29, 2020
Boseman’s death due to colon cancer was likely the most shocking, as the 43-year-old actor radiated power and strength in his role as Marvel’s eponymous “Black Panther.” As the dignified and super-powered leader of the fictional nation of Wakanda, Boseman was a symbol of hope and dignity for many basketball players.
Of note, Victor Oladipo of the Indiana Pacers donned a Black Panther mask to perform a dunk in the 2018 NBA Slam Dunk Contest with Boseman in attendance, and the two shared words and a Wakanda salute after the dunk was completed.
Clifford Robinson played 17 seasons in the NBA with his most notable stint occurring between 1989 and 1997 with the Portland Trail Blazers, where he made the All-Star team in the 1993-94 season—a year after winning the Sixth Man of the Year award in 1992-93 after putting up 19.1 points per game with 6.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.0 blocks per game in only 12 starts, per Basketball Reference.
Lute Olson was a legendary college coach most known for his 24-year tenure as the head coach of the Arizona men’s basketball team, which he piloted to 23 NCAA Tournament appearances, including an NCAA Championship in 1997. He finished his head coaching career with 776 wins, which ranks 12th all time per Sports Reference.
All three of these men will be missed, and their impact on basketball—and the world—will not be forgotten.
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