The AP reports:
Lorenzo Charles, who made the game-winning dunk to give North Carolina State the 1983 national championship, was killed when a bus he was driving crashed in Raleigh, N.C., a tour bus official said. He was 47.
Charles grabbed an errant 30-foot shot by Dereck Whittenburg and dunked it for the winning basket in the Wolfpack’s 54-52 victory over Houston in the title game.
InsideHoops.com has a statement from Anthony “Spud” Webb on the death of Lorenzo Charles: “We were friends, teammate and roommates over 28 years, and today I lost a very good friend in Lorenzo. He always had a big smile and a big laugh that I will always remember. He was a gentle giant.” – Charles’ former teammate at North Carolina State University and the Atlanta Hawks, Anthony “Spud” Webb.
And here’s a statement from the Atlanta Hawks: “Lorenzo left an indelible impact in sports lore that will never be forgotten, and while he will be forever remembered for his accomplishments at North Carolina State, the Atlanta Hawks family would like to extend heartfelt condolences to the Charles family after the news of his tragic death this afternoon. He was a great guy who was loved by his teammates, and taken away from us far too soon.” — Atlanta Hawks Vice President of Basketball and former teammate Dominique Wilkins.
