A Minnesota basketball legend passed away on Tuesday. Clyde Turner, who was part of the 1972 Minnesota B1G championship team, died at the age of 70.

Turner played at Minnesota from 1971-1973, and averaged 18.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game during his time there. After his time with the Golden Gophers, he was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1973 NBA Draft where he would be on the same roster as Kareem Abdul-Jabar and Oscar Robertson.

Here is a statement on his passing from a press release from Minnesota Athletics:

“The University of Minnesota men’s basketball program mourns the loss of Golden Gopher great Clyde Turner. Turner played for Minnesota from 1971-1973, and passed away on August 9, 2022. He played a huge role in the 1972 B1G championship, and became a 1st team All-B1G selection following that season.”

The current head coach of the Golden Gophers basketball team, Ben Johnson also made sure to share some kind words about his relationship with Turner. He attended many of Turner’s basketball camps as a child.

“Thoughts and prayers to the entire Turner family,” said Johnson. I was fortunate enough to grow up attending many of Clyde’s community basketball camps…Clyde was forever teaching not just basketball but how each of us could go out and positively impact our community. Rest easy #32.”