EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Alabama State University men’s basketball team had a special visitor among their fans when they made their trip to Evansville to face the Purple Aces over the weekend.
Former Hornets standout and NBA/ABA draft pick Gregg Northington was among the many fans in attendance cheering for the Black and Gold during their game with Evansville. He drove down from his home in Indianapolis and was able to spend some time with the coaches and team and recount his time at Alabama State along with all the stories that come along with a career. He was very happy to see the team even though the outcome did not come out in the Hornets’ favor.
“I enjoyed every bit of the game,” Northington said. “It is one of the few times I have had a chance to see them (ASU) play and it was enjoyable. I know I will evaluate the game when I sit and think about it.”
“I think they played to stay in the game, but you can tell it is still a learning process for them. I think they are going to be a good team as the year goes on.”
During the course of his career he has come in contact and played with several coaches across the nation and he saw some things out of the Hornets that he has seen from other coaches.
“I see some familiarity with some parts of the game now that I have seen in the past,” Northington said. “You could see some of the Bobby Knight motion offense that he used to run and that offense is a tough offense to defend once you get it down.”
Head Coach Lewis Jackson has always been someone who has had great respect for those ASU players that came before him, and this was no different.
“This was a real pleasure and honor for Gregg to come back and visit with us,” Jackson said. “He was probably the first seven-footer to play at State and those teams he played on were teams that won the old SIAC Championships and set a tradition and foundation for this program now. He was truly one of the great Hornets.”
Northington played at ASU for Coach Bernard Boozer from 1969-72. During those years the Hornets went 61-23 while winning the SIAC Titles in 1971 and 1972.
Following the 1971 season Northington was a two-time draft choice going in the second round to the New York Knicks of the NBA and being drafted by North Carolina, also in the second round, of the old ABA. He did not sign with either team, choosing instead to come back to ASU for his senior season.
Following his senior campaign the NBA came calling again as he was drafted in the third round, 72nd overall, by the Los Angeles Lakers.
“We are so blessed at State to have the examples like Gregg for these players to talk with and learn from,” Jackson said. “He came back to school and he talked with the team about the importance for them to get their education and to live for the minute and for your teammates because basketball doesn’t last forever. It was a good lesson to hear from someone of his stature.”
