Rest In Peace: Lorenzo Charles

[JonInMiddleGA]

A key part of one of the most memorable sports moments of my lifetime.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Former North Carolina State basketball star Lorenzo Charles, the muscular forward whose last-second dunk gave the underdog Wolfpack the 1983 national collegiate championship, was killed Monday when a bus he was driving crashed, a company official said Monday.

Elite Coach general manager Brad Jackson said Charles, 47, worked for the company and was driving one of its buses on Interstate 40.

Raleigh police spokesman Jim Sughrue said no passengers were aboard.

Charles secured his spot in NC State lore 28 years ago in the final moments of the Wolfpack's matchup with Houston in the national championship game. ...

NC State Basketball Legend Lorenzo Charles Dies - The Official Athletic Site of the Atlantic Coast Conference (http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/062711aaa.html)

[tyketime]

I was a freshman at UNC the year Jordan hit the game winning jumper vs Georgetown, and we partied on Franklin Street. The next year, I witnessed the unbelievable run Jim Valvano led the Wolfpack on culminating in the Whittenburg "pass" to Charles and his incredible dunk. We quickly jumped in a car and drove from Chapel Hill to Raleigh and partied with them. He certainly was part of a special moment in college basketball history. RIP

[Buccaneer]

I was a freshman at UNC the year Jordan hit the game winning jumper vs Georgetown, and we partied on Franklin Street. The next year, I witnessed the unbelievable run Jim Valvano led the Wolfpack on culminating in the Whittenburg "pass" to Charles and his incredible dunk. We quickly jumped in a car and drove from Chapel Hill to Raleigh and partied with them. He certainly was part of a special moment in college basketball history. RIP

You and I probably partied together at the Cave or He's Not Here or Rathskeller without either of us knowing about it.

RIP.

[Radii]

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So sad. :(

[Wolfpack]

A very sad day around West Raleigh. Had a good college career, some modest success in the pros, and generally had a good, quiet life post-athletics, but 1983 pretty much meant he'd never have to buy a drink anywhere in town no matter what else ever happened in his life. He had been pretty visible at State games since moving back to Raleigh several years ago.

I still pretty well remember a lot of what happened on April 4, 1983. State being the underdogs, but jumping out to the 33-25 lead by halftime, then Houston seemed to blow State's doors off in the second half and I was sure it was over, even going so far as to retreat to my room to sulk about it. I eventually came back out and rejoined the family, watching State pull of the comeback to force the tie. Whittenburg then heaved a desperate "pass" that came down to Charles, who alley-ooped his way into history and brought everyone on that State team with him.

Rest in peace, Lo.

[albionmoonlight]

I was actually caught in the traffic caused by his crash on my way home from work last night. Weird.

[BigDPW]

RIP Lorenzo

The whole Wolfpack Nation mourns our loss. Thanks for the wonderful memories!