Report: Marvin Barnes dies
Ex-Providence star was drafted by the Sixers in 1974, but opted for the ABA.
MARVIN BARNES, who led Providence College to the Final Four in 1973 and starred in the old American Basketball Association, has died, a newspaper reported yesterday. He was 62.
Kevin Stacom, a college teammate and one of Barnes' closest friends, told the Providence Journal yesterday that Barnes died at a home in Providence. The cause of death was not known, but Barnes had battled drug addiction for years.
Stacom did not return messages seeking comment from the Associated Press.
A 6-9 forward, Barnes grew up in Providence and was a high school star before going on to an All-American college career, forming his team's core with point guard Ernie DiGregorio. With Barnes averaging 18 points and 19 rebounds, the Friars made it to the Final Four, losing to Memphis State in the semifinals after Barnes twisted a knee and was relegated to the bench.
As a senior, Barnes averaged 22 points and 18.7 rebounds and was the second overall pick of the 1974 NBA draft by the Sixers, behind only UCLA's Bill Walton.
Instead, Barnes opted for the rival ABA and won rookie of the year in 1975 after averaging 24 points and 15.6 rebounds.
Barnes went to the Detroit Pistons in 1976 before bouncing between the Buffalo Braves, Boston Celtics and San Diego Clippers. His last season in the NBA was in 1980.
Barnes was in trouble with the law several times over the years.
College Football
* Penn State's home game against Massachusetts will kick off at 4 p.m. on Sept. 20 and will be broadcast on BTN.
* June Jones resigned as SMU's coach after the Mustangs scored only one touchdown in losing their first game. Jones was in his seventh season with the Mustangs, with a record of 36-43.
* The Pac-12 Conference fined Southern California athletic director Pat Haden $25,000 for coming down to the field at Stanford Stadium on Saturday and confronting game officials.
* UConn officials said quarterback Casey Cochran is ending his football because of multiple concussions.
Pro Hockey
* The NHL is keeping Stephane Quintal in his role as the league's senior vice president of player safety, dropping the interim tag for the former defenseman.