James Hardy, who teamed up with Bill Cartwright and others who led the University of San Francisco men’s basketball team to the highest position in the 1970s, died in late December at the age of 64.
In the past few weeks since Hardy died of a heart attack on December 28, former teammates and those who knew him best reflected his extraordinary skills on the basketball court.
In memory of Hardy, Cartwright probably best summarized the career of his ex-teammate.
“For my years playing basketball, he was probably the best athlete I’ve ever played.” But more importantly, he’s a good friend and a great team. He was a mate and a good person who cared deeply for his family. “
Cartwright’s perspective comes from his basketball life, including 16 seasons as an NBA player and his experience as a member of a team that won three titles as the Chicago Bulls Starting Center in the early 1990s.
Coach’s point of view
Former USF coach Bob Gaillard of Hardy said the562.org:
“James Hardy was one of the most talented athletic high school players in the United States. He was just a moving poem and an irreplaceable asset for what became the number one team in college basketball.”
Gailard added: “Apart from his athletic ability, James was a very intelligent and insightful young man. James was intellectually much more aware than his peers, and was an individual, group, and turbulent 70’s society. Had the ability to assess anxiety / questions. James Hardy was special and all his short meteorite journeys he knew he would never forget. “
Great heritage
James Hardy arrived at the USF campus in 1975 as part of a well-known recruitment class that included future overall third-placed Cartwright and Winford Boyne.
A native from Knoxville, Alabama, attended Jordan High School in Long Beach, California, where his immense talent and hoop insight caught the eye of a college coach from coast to coast.As a high school senior, he Parade Magazine All-American First team selection in 1975.
Of course, at that time, there were great expectations for Don of Gaillard.
And he declared the school’s promotional activities as well.
Consider what is written in the USF Basketball Media Guide for the 1976-77 campaign. USFAthletics Website Obituary..
Don’s success
Led by a talented roster and strong coaching, James Hardy and his USF teammates have won the 1976-77 and 1977-78 West Coast Conference titles and Hardy’s three seasons in Don’s uniform. Successful trips to all postseasons.
Hardy played the leading role, and Don opened 1976-77 with 29 consecutive victories. By the sixth week, Don (15-0 at the time) had risen to number one in the AP national rankings. USF was number one for most of the season, finishing 29-2 overall and losing the last two games.
James Hardy’s college number
The talented reaper contributed 13.4 points and 9.7 rebounds in 80 USF games. He shot 52.8 percent off the floor. In addition, by the end of Dons’ career, he was the 10th and 7th rebounder (772) on the school’s highest-ever scoring list (1,075).
As a sophomore, Hardy was the prestigious Associated Press All-American in 1976-77. He chose to turn professional after the junior season.
Professional
After his prestigious college career at USF Hardy, he became the 11th pick (New Orleans Jazz) in the 1978 NBA Draft and began playing for the legendary former Lakers forward Elgin Baylor in Crescent City. I did.
Jazz moved to Salt Lake City the following year, and Hardy spent the next three seasons in the club. In his NBA career, 6ft 8 Hardy has played 249 regular season games with an average of 5.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists. After the team moved to Utah, Baylor resigned instead of taking command, and Hardy continued his NBA career under bench bosses Tom Nissoak and Frank Layden. He replaced him in the 1981-82 season after Jazz lost 12 of the first 20 games. ..
After spending four seasons in the NBA, Hardy will spend the next eight seasons in Europe, appearing on teams in Italy (APU Udinese and Mr. De Siena), France (Paris Basket Racing and Olympic Antibes) and Spain (CB Ourense). did. 1990.
Additional insights from Cartwright
Talkbasket contacted Cartwright a few weeks ago, and a former NBA player and head coach shared some of his favorite James Hardy anecdotes in an email interview.
“As you know, James, Winford, and I attended USF classes from 1975 to 1976, which was a special time,” Cartwright said.
“I was seven feet tall, lean and gangster, but Winford was Mr. Oklahoma twice, but when he first met James, he was most physically ready to play. He was 6 feet 9 and was an athlete freak. He had such an impressive physique that I remember being almost jealous of this guy. I thought there was no better way to work than I did. He had a divine talent.
“James wasn’t the team’s top scorer if he had a game, he wasn’t the team’s main rebounder if he had a game, and spectacular dunk shots and play in the game. Most remembered by doing. People will remember the game because of his spectacular play — it’s not whether we won or lost. “
Unforgettable memory
A dramatic victory over local rivals has been imprinted in Cartwright’s heart decades later.
“I remember the game we won with the buzzer when we played Santa Clara (rival) in a fierce battle. Chubby Cox has become an incredible runner,” Cartwright told Talkbasket. .. “People best remember the dunk game where they caught a lob pass away from the basket with their left hand and switched to their right hand to dunk the ball. It was freaky!
“James’ nickname at college was” trouble “mainly because” trouble “was written on the side of the van he brought to the USF. We didn’t know where the van actually came from, but I thought he came from a rival school that was looking for him. James’ nickname was “Trouble,” but he was the exact opposite. He was very thoughtful and very smart (he played chess). I think he was kicked out by people who thought he had a bad ass. “
Mourning James Hardy’s death
Cartwright publicly mourned the death of his teammate.
“It’s sad that he died so early,” Cartwright commented.
Cartwright was pleased with the fact that James Hardy was inducted into the USF Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017. He said it was “postponed for a long time.”
“He was very grateful and honored to be inducted into the Hall of Fame,” Cartwright said of Hardy. “(Hardy) didn’t expect it, and obviously it was natural.”
Cartwright continued. “He took his wife Catherine and his family to the ceremony. I was happy to be with him.
“After James died, I received a lot of texts from former teammates and USF graduates. He was a special player and a special person to be missed.”
James Hardy’s Last Words
James Hardy was appointed to the USF Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017. YouTube introduction section For video Cartwright emphasized the Hall of Fame and summarized Hardy’s unique talents as follows:
“We won a lot of games together and became number one in the nation, but everyone always remembers that James made all the games he’s never seen again in one epic play. He was a scorer, rebounder, and shot blocker. We all wanted to be as talented as he was. “
