Ex-Atlanta Hawks’ forward Lorenzo Charles dies in a bus crash – NBA Update
Atlanta Hawks’ former power forward Lorenzo Charles died in a bus crash on Monday at the age of 47. The Brooklyn Technical High School graduate worked for Elite Coach, a car rental company, and was driving one of the company’s
buses when the vehicle crashed along the highway on Interstate 40.
Brad Jackson, the general manager of Elite coach confirmed the news and stated that there were no passengers aboard when the incident took place. The local police didn’t reveal much about the crash that took Lorenzo’s life. According
to the initial investigations, there was no second vehicle involved in the crash and Charles was on his way to pick up the passengers from Durham.
The North Carolina State University Wolfpack’s star player was best known for his game-winning dunk over the highly favoured Houston Cougars in the 1983 NCAA Tournament championship game. The pick and roll involving Dereck Whittenburg
etched Lorenzo’s name in the annals of North Carolina Basketball history as he dunked right at the buzzer to provide his team a 54-52 win and their second national title.
Houston’s director of basketball Operations Michael Young, who was a member of Cougars at that time said that he has still not forgotten the heroics of Charles, "For him to dunk the ball at that moment to win the game, it was one
of the most heartbreaking moments I have ever felt in my whole career. Twenty-eight years later, it's still with me. Every day somebody asks me about it. I thought I was going to get away with it today and then you called me. I'm very sorry to hear what happened."
Two years after landing the championship, Wolfpack’s superstar finished his college career with 1535 points. Charles shooting average of more than 57 percent in 1985is still the best record as a senior.
Charles brilliance was not just limited to one game as his presence in the Wolfpack became a major threat for the opposition. In 1983, North Carolina State University were fighting to secure a spot in the top four during the West
regional Finals against the Cavaliers. The dynamic Lorenzo landed two decisive free throws with 23 seconds remaining in the final buzzer as the Wolfpack clinched a thrilling 63-62 victory.
N.C. State coach Mark Gottfried said on Charles death, “. He holds a special place in Wolfpack history and in the hearts of generations of fans. We just reconnected with him last week, and our staff was stunned to hear this terrible
news."
During the 1985-1986 season, the influential Charles shifted his talents to NBA and played 36 games in Atlanta Hawks’ uniform as a power forward.
John Swofford, the Commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference ACC was stunned by the death of a player who not only gave North Carolina State but the conference one of its most cherished moments.
"It's tremendously sad to have Lorenzo taken so unexpectedly," Swofford said in a statement. "As a former player, he made us believe in the amazing, and all of us in the ACC send out our thoughts and prayers to his entire family."
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