Frank Hamblen, 1965 Garfield High School graduate and former NBA coach died

[Sycamore Proud]

By Andy Amey / Tribune-Star 9-30-2017

A sophomore reserve guard on Garfield's last IHSAA State Tournament Final Four basketball team in 1963, Hamblen went on to play two more seasons with the Purple Eagles and was the school's third all-time leading scorer behind future NBA players Terry Dischinger and Clyde Lovellette and is a member of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.

http://www.tribstar.com/news/former...cle_82469df4-a610-11e7-90fa-a3f675975187.html

 

[krwilson2]

Frank was a wonderful man whose family is still rooted deeply in Terre Haute. I am a better person for having known him. All love and prayers to his family. He was truly a great person.

 

[BankShot]

I was @ the E-ville Semi-state in '63, when Garfield def. defending State Champ Bosse in a big upset, as Bosse had virtually their whole squad back that season. I still have my older sister's yearbook, which well chronicles the event. She graduated in '65, same yr. as Hamblen. Also have the "Special Afternoon Ed." Courier & Press (yes, back then the local newspaper printed Semi-state focused headlined copies). Does anyone recall the starting G on the SB Central squad that def. Garfield in the Finals? Future UCLA PG, Mike Warren, who later starred in a TV Series, "Hill Street Blues." See:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Warren_(actor)

Hamblen was a starting Soph FORWARD, not a guard. He also played with a broken nose/guard thru the IHSAA playoffs. The photo shows '63 Trester Award winner GREG SAMUELS shooting from the corner...and Hamblen's broken nose.

C Chuck Bensley 6'5"
F Frank Hamblen 6'3"
F Jim McCallum 6'3"
G Greg Samuels 6'0"
G Bob Poynter 5'10"

Key Reserves:

Skip Greanleaf 6'3"
Frank Bell 6'4"
Jack Sanders 6'0"

Hamblen never shined in college ball because he simply wasn't a GUARD...too slow, and too short for the collegiate inside game.

***Btw, I'm surprised that Hamblen's "Purple Eagle" teammate, BOB POYNTER, wasn't interviewed, given his almost 1/2 century employment as a photographer for the TH Trib-Star.

 

[Jason Svoboda]

I honestly didn't even know he was from Terre Haute or I had forgotten. He was a cornerstone coach for the Phil Jackson Bulls dynasty.