Wooden Says Gathers Will Remain on Ballot for Player-of-the-Year Vote

Hank Gathers, who died Sunday of undetermined causes, and his Loyola Marymount teammate, Bo Kimble, were among 14 finalists named Tuesday for the John Wooden basketball player-of-the-year award and All-American team.

The other finalists: Georgia Tech’s Kenny Anderson and Dennis Scott; Nevada Las Vegas’ Stacey Augmon and Larry Johnson; Syracuse’s Derrick Coleman; Illinois’ Kendall Gill; LSU’s Chris Jackson; Georgetown’s Alonzo Mourning; Oregon State’s Gary Payton; Michigan’s Rumeal Robinson; La Salle’s Lionel Simmons, and Michigan State’s Steve Smith.

Appearing on the Turner Network, Wooden said of Gathers: “We sincerely regret the tragedy of his death during the basketball game Sunday evening. Hank had been certified by his university as a model student-athlete and team leader.

“He was a second-team All-American last year and our national advisory board, because of his outstanding play during the entire season, selected him again to be on our national ballot.

“We wish him to stay on this ballot of the 14 outstanding players in the nation. This ballot goes to the 1,000 voters who are sportswriters and sportscasters throughout the nation who will select this year’s All-American team and the player of the year.”

The winners will be announced on April 1 in Denver, site of the NCAA Final Four.