Longtime AP college basketball writer Jim O'Connell died today at the age of 64 after battling a "series of ailments." O'Connell was a former President of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association and in '02 earned the Basketball HOF's Curt Gowdy Award. O'Connell served as the AP's national college hoops writer since '87, and he also "covered eight Olympics" (AP, 7/2).
The Washington Post's Tim Bontemps tweeted, "One of the legendary college basketball writers ever was also one of the nicest. RIP to a true titan of this business." The Philadelphia Inquirer's Mike Jensen: "Oc was everything you’d hope the national college basketball writer for the AP would and could be." The AP's Tim Reynolds: "Just a profoundly sad day for AP, for writing, for basketball and so much more." ESPN's Jay Bilas: "OC was an amazing writer and such a generous, kind soul. A pro’s pro in basketball. RIP." USA Today's Nancy Armour: "Oc might have seemed gruff at first, but you never met a sweeter and more genuine person. He was a treasure for everyone who knew him, and he’ll be missed" (TWITTER.com, 7/2).
