Amazing feat to accomplish. However, I'm more impressed with RJ Davis out of Stepinac. Going from a nobody to the All-American Game in a 4-year period is impressive growth as a player.
86, help me. Is Jaden the grandson of Gary, who played at Iona with Steve Burtt? And, if so, is he the son of Gary Springer, who also played at Iona? Thanks.
86, help me. Is Jaden the grandson of Gary, who played at Iona with Steve Burtt? And, if so, is he the son of Gary Springer, who also played at Iona? Thanks.
There is also one Father/Daughter McDonald's combo:
Taya Reimer - Notre Dame/Michigan State Ben Davis - Kansas/Hutchinson CC/Arizona (NBA- Suns and Knicks)
So Gary is the only one of this elite bunch not to play in the NBA? At least I don't think he ever played -- not even a cup of coffee.
No, Blackmon Sr. also never played in the NBA. Gary busted his ankle after his freshman season and was a different player after the injury. As a freshman he averaged over 19 ppg and led the nation in freshman scoring. As a freshman the guy was a high flying player... after the initial injury he was still great but not the high fkyer he was before the ankle. He probably should have redshirted to heal. He also injured his knee. He was still drafted in the 6th round. He was a 3x All American and a 4x All Met player. As a freshman he won the Haggerty Award.
So Gary is the only one of this elite bunch not to play in the NBA? At least I don't think he ever played -- not even a cup of coffee.
No, Blackmon Sr. also never played in the NBA. Gary busted his ankle after his freshman season and was a different player after the injury. As a freshman he averaged over 19 ppm and led the nation in freshman scoring. As a freshman the guy was a high flying player... after the initial injury he was still great but not the high fkyer he was before the ankle. He probably should have redshirted to heal. He also injured his knee. He was still drafted in the 6th round. He was a 3x All American and a 4x All Met player. As a freshman he won the Haggerty Award.
86, thanks. Just a reminder about his father. Before the internet and ESPN, when it came to college BB, we had a magazine called "Eastern Basketball", I believe. And this was before the Big East was formed. And while Jeff Ruland was our biggest name recruit, a year or two before, Gary Springer was on the cover of EB and named as Player of the Year, after his senior year at Benjamin Franklin HS in NYC. And it didn't hurt that he brought along his friend, Steve Burtt. Exciting times in New Ro.
Gary was also the Sports Illustrated "Player of the Week" when he hit the game winning shot in back to back OT victories in January 1981. (I believe the second one qualifies as a "Joebird Special.") We actually had 3 OT home victories that year.
Gary was also the Sports Illustrated "Player of the Week" when he hit the game winning shot in back to back OT victories in January 1981. (I believe the second one qualifies as a "Joebird Special.") We actually had 3 OT home victories that year.
Looking at The media guide the first was Wagner a two point win, buzzer beater but not true buzzer beater, but if I remember it was like a 30 foot shot, so that is as good of a non true buzzer beater as you can get. The second was holy cross win by 1, I don’t remember this, so I can’t say if this was indeed a shot made with no time left. This could be the last ever Iona true buzzer beater shot.
Gary was also the Sports Illustrated "Player of the Week" when he hit the game winning shot in back to back OT victories in January 1981. (I believe the second one qualifies as a "Joebird Special.") We actually had 3 OT home victories that year.
Looking at The media guide the first was Wagner a two point win, buzzer beater but not true buzzer beater, but if I remember it was like a 30 foot shot, so that is as good of a non true buzzer beater as you can get. The second was holy cross win by 1, I don’t remember this, so I can’t say if this was indeed a shot made with no time left. This could be the last ever Iona true buzzer beater shot.
