Les Hunter, who played a major role on the Loyola men’s basketball team’s 1963 national championship team, passed away Friday morning after a battle with cancer. He was 77.
Hunter is one of two players in program history to score 1,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds during his career. His No. 41 jersey was retired by Loyola in 1991, when he was inducted into the Loyola Athletics Hall of Fame.
“We are heartbroken to learn of Les’ passing,” Loyola Athletics Director Steve Watson said in a statement. “The Loyola family has lost a true legend, who was a major part [of] our NCAA championship team in 1963.