Indiana Hoops Legend Lovellette Dies
NORTH MANCHESTER – Clyde Lovellette, an Indiana basketball legend, has passed away.
The 86-year old Lovellette died at his home in North Manchester Wednesday evening after a battle with stomach cancer.
Lovellette played at Garfield High School in Terre Haute, the University of Kansas and the NBA.
The two-time All-American was voted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in May 1988. His Jayhawks team won the 1952 NCAA championship, and later that year, he was on the a gold medal-winning team at the Olympics in Helsinki.
Lovellette’s professional career included 11 years in the NBA with Minneapolis, Cincinnati, St. Louis and Boston, before retiring in 1964. The 6-9 Lovellette averaged 17 points and nine rebounds per game during his pro career and was a four-time NBA All-Star.
Lovellette, who is in the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, led his high school team to a state runner-up finish.
The Tribune-Star in Terre Haute reports that Lovellette’s career after basketball included working at a faith-based school for at-risk teens, Whites Residential Services in Wabash County. Lovellette also served as Sheriff of Vigo County following his playing career.