Christopher Lee Marcus (December 11, 1979 – April 23, 2020) was an American basketball player, best known for his collegiate career at Western Kentucky University between 1999–2000 and 2002–03.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 11, 1979 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | April 23, 2020 (aged 40) Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Listed height | 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) |
| Listed weight | 300 lb (136 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Olympic (Charlotte, North Carolina) |
| College | Western Kentucky (1999–2003) |
| NBA draft | 2003: undrafted |
| Position | Center |
| Number | 1 |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Early life
editMarcus was born in Chicago, Illinois but raised in Charlotte, North Carolina.[1] He grew extremely quickly; by sixth grade he was 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m), in seventh he was 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m), and in eighth grade Marcus stood 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) tall. By the time he was soundly into his high school career, Marcus was a certified seven-footer. However, he did not begin playing basketball until the school's new head coach, David Davis, convinced him to play for the team.
After former Clemson coach Dennis Felton became head coach at Western Kentucky, he recruited Marcus to play for him.
Career
editAs a true freshman in 1998–99 at Western Kentucky University, Marcus did not play basketball in order to focus on his grades. When Marcus started playing for the team, he averaged 11.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game en route to being named the Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year and Defender of the Year.[2]
The following season, Marcus's sophomore season, he led the Hilltoppers in scoring at 16.7 points per game, and his 12.1 rebounds per game led all of NCAA Division I.[2][3] Western Kentucky compiled a 24–7 record, winning the Sun Belt regular season and conference tournament championships, on their way to an NCAA Tournament berth.[2]
During Marcus's last two years at WKU, a pre-season injury to his ankle sidelined him for months during his junior year. After rushing his rehabilitation, Marcus only lasted half of his senior season before he returned to Charlotte.[4][5] During his final two years of college, Marcus developed an addiction to alcohol.[6]
Marcus participated in the Denver Nuggets training camp, but never played a game in the NBA.[4]
Awards and honors
edit- Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year (1999–00)
- Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year (1999–00)
- Sun Belt Tournament MVP (2000–01)
- NCAA rebounding leader (2000–01)
- Sun Belt Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year (2000–01)
- 2× Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American (2000–01, 2001–02)
- Lindy's College Basketball All-America Team (2001)[7]
Personal life
editMarcus joined Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in 2005 and overcame his addiction to alcohol. He remained active in AA for the rest of his life and had a career as a counselor for children with disabilities or behavioral issues, declining offers to return to basketball as a coach.[8]
Marcus died on April 23, 2020, in Charlotte, North Carolina from a pulmonary embolism.[9]
References
edit- ^ "Prospect Profile: Chris Marcus". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, LLC. 2003. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
- ^ a b c "#10 Greatest Player in Hilltopper History". hilltopperhaven.com. Western Kentucky University. November 10, 2010. Archived from the original on March 8, 2011. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
- ^ "2009–10 NCAA Men's Basketball Records" (PDF). 2009–10 NCAA Men's Basketball Media Guide. National Collegiate Athletic Association. 2009. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
- ^ a b Adelson, Eric; Galvin, Dan (2005). "SNAKE EYES: A seven-footer with NBA skills, Chris Marcus looked set to follow in Shaq's footsteps. He's taken a very different path". ESPN the Magazine. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
- ^ "Western's Chris Marcus Out For Season; Concludes College Career". Western Kentucky University Athletics. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
- ^ "Chris Marcus's struggle with alcoholism derailed his ride to the NBA". ESPN.com. 2005-07-04. Retrieved 2020-04-25.
- ^ Marcus honored by publication, WKU center lands on All-America team, By Justin Willis, Bowling Green Daily News, Aug 3, 2001 retrieved 27 April 2020
- ^ What ever happened to Chris Marcus?, By ELLIOTT PRATT Daily News Apr 28, 2020, retrieved 30 April 2020
- ^ "Former WKU Basketball Star Center Chris Marcus Passes Away". WKUSports.com. April 25, 2020. Retrieved April 25, 2020.