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Former Indiana star Steve Alford spoke to TMZ Sports this Thursday about the death of his former coach, Bob Knight.
Alford played for Knight from 1983-1987, averaging 19.5 points and 3.1 assists per game. He won a national championship with the Hoosiers during the 1986-87 season.
As you’d imagine, Alford had nothing but great things to say about Knight.
“[Coach Knight] was a mentor, he was a father figure,” Alford said. “He taught us about life as much as he did about playing the game of basketball, which was immense. He was as good as it got on the court.”
Alford continued, “I think people don’t get to see how caring he was, how loving he was. He loved his players. he loved his team. He loved his school. And he was always giving back.”
Ex-Indiana Star Steve Alford Mourns ‘Mentor & Father Figure’ Bob Knight https://t.co/8GYGbI4VPf
— TMZ Sports (@TMZ_Sports) November 2, 2023
Knight had an incredible résumé as the head coach of the Hoosiers, making the Final Four five times and capturing three national titles. He also won 11 Big Ten titles from 1973-2000.
The basketball community will never forget Knight’s legacy.