Former FS Assistant Basketball Coach Jim Thrash dead at 77

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno State Men's Basketball mislaid a legendary fig this past week. Former Bulldog Assistant Coach Jim Thrash passed distant astatine the property of 77 connected Friday.

Although erstwhile Head Coach Boyd Grant is credited with starring the Bulldogs to an NIT Title successful 1983, it was Thrash who was successful complaint of recruiting that title team.

Fresno State posted 3 consecutive 20-win seasons from 1981 to 1983, including a 27-3 grounds successful 1982, which included an quality successful the NCAA Tournament's "Sweet 16."

As the main recruiter for the Bulldogs, Thrash recruited 4 players, Rod Higgins, Ron Anderson, Bernard Thompson and Pete Verhoeven, who went connected to highly palmy careers successful the NBA.

Born successful Farina, Illinois, successful 1946, Thrash would gain 12 varsity letters successful 4 sports.

Graduating from La Grove High School successful Farina (IL) successful 1964, Thrash attended Thornton Junior College (Harvey, IL), wherever helium earned 5 letters successful 3 sports.

He would spell connected to Eastern New Mexico University and play hoops connected a brace of teams that won 46 of their 57 games and precocious to the NAIA National Championship finals earlier graduating with honors successful 1969.

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