Legendary High Point University men's basketball player, the program's all-time leading scorer, and former ABA Player and NBA head coach Gene Littles passed away on Thursday, September 9th. He was 78.

Littles attended HPU from 1965-1969 where he was a three-time NAIA All-American. Littles' legacy has carried on long past his graduation in 1969 as he leads the program in several career categories including points, field goals, and free throws made. However, his legacy at HPU stretches far beyond just basketball as Littles was the first African American student-athlete to live on campus at High Point College. Littles broke down racial barriers throughout his career as both a collegiate and professional.

Littles was a DC native and chose to attend HPU in 1965. By the end of his career, Littles would inspire future African Americans to attend High Point. One of those players he had an immediate effect on was a fellow DMV native, Class of 1972 HPU basketball alum, and current High Point University men's basketball head coach, Tubby Smith.

"We are saddened by the passing of another legend of our High Point University Athletic family in Gene Littles', Coach Smith said. "Gene was the best player in High Point University Basketball history. He was a true gentleman, a great competitor, and a classy individual. He was a role model for me and many other collegiate and professional athletes. Gene was a proud ambassador for our alma mater and he represented the values of High Point University throughout his career. We will always remember Gene and honor his legacy. Our sincerest condolences and best wishes to his family, friends, and loved ones."

His impact in basketball spread beyond just college as he was drafted by the New York Knicks in the fifth round of the 1969 NBA Draft. He was also drafted in the 1969 ABA Draft by the Dallas Chaparrals. Littles is the first and only HPU basketball player to be drafted to the NBA. Littles decided to play in the ABA. He stayed in the Triad area as he opened the first five years of his career with the Carolina Cougars from 1969-1974, where he played a season coached by the legendary coach Jerry Steele. He earned an all-rookie selection in 1970 with the Cougars. He played one season (74-75) with the Kentucky Colonels; Littles and the Colonels won the ABA Championship in 1975. Littles averaged 9.0 points per game as a professional finishing his six seasons with a total of 4,066 points.

Littles transitioned to coaching and started his coaching career with the Cleveland Cavaliers as an assistant coach. He then came back to North Carolina where he became the head coach of North Carolina A&T from 1977-1979. During his two seasons with the Aggies, he led A&T to two consecutive MEAC Tournament Championships. Littles finished with a 40-15 record as a collegiate head coach.   

In 1986, he returned to the NBA this time as a head coach as he finished the last 19 games of the season for the Cavaliers. In 1990, Littles was named the head coach of the Charlotte Hornets midway through the season and remained the head coach for the entirety of the 1990-91 season. His last NBA coaching job was with the Denver Nuggets where he was an assistant in 1994-95 while being the interim head coach for the last 19 games of the season. Littles had the opportunity to work with both Pete Maravich and Michael Jordan during his NBA career.

Littles was honored two years ago on campus with the naming of a bench outside of the Millis Center. He is a member of both the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, as well as the High Point University Athletics Hall of Fame. His jersey number of 14 was displayed proudly in the rafters in the Millis Center.  His impact at HPU will be felt for years to come and his legacy will live on forever. 

Details of a memorial service for Gene Littles will be released at a later date.