July 18, 2003

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -It was announced on July 17 that six former Friars will be inducted into the 2003 class of the New England Basketball Hall of Fame. The New England Basketball Hall of Fame, which is located in the University of Rhode Island's Keaney Gymnasium, will hold its induction ceremony on September 19, 2003. The six Friars who will be inducted are Marvin Barnes '74, Lenny Wilkens '60, Joe Hassett '77, Rick Pitino, Abdul Abdullah '94 and Chris Clark.

Barnes, a Providence, Rhode Island native and unquestionably the greatest center and most talented frontcourt player in Providence College history, was the 1974 NCAA national rebounding champion, a consensus First-Team All-America selection, Eastern Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player in both the Aloha Classic and East-West All-Star games, and the second pick in the 1974 draft. He also was named to the ECAC All-Decade team for the 1970's and still holds records at Providence for game, season and career rebounds and blocks.

Wilkens one of the finest backcourt defenders ever for the Friars. He was an All-East selection as a junior and went on to be the MVP of both the NIT and East-West All-Star games, as well as a consensus All-America selection as a senior at Providence College. A 15-year NBA player and nine-time NBA All-Star, Wilkens also coached in the professional ranks for 28 years, winning the World Championship in 1979.

Probably the greatest shooter ever at Providence, averaging 18.8 points a game his senior year, Hassett was an All-America selection and third-round draft choice of the Seattle Supersonics. He played in the East-West All-Star game and for the United States team in the Pan American Games as well as the 1979 World Championship team. Hassett enjoyed a six year career in the NBA.

Pitino turned the Friar basketball program that had won only 79 games in the previous seven seasons, into a Final Four participant. He was named National Coach of the Year for his success with the 1987 Friars team that finished fourth in the BIG EAST Conference and advanced to the NCAA Final Four. His 1987 team posted a 25-9 record. Pitino went on to coach the New York Knicks and is currently Head Coach of the University of Louisville Cardinals.

Abdullah came to Providence College after two years playing at Community College of Rhode Island. In his 62 games played as a Friar, he registered 174 points, 111 rebounds, and an impressive 422 assists and 72 steals. In his senior season, he established a Providence single-season BIG EAST record for assists with 131 in 1994.

Chris Clark was the radio voice for Friar basketball for 24 years. As a sports director at a local television station, Clark was a prominent and well-respected force in popularizing Providence College basketball during the early days of televised sports.

The all-day induction celebration on September 19 will begin with a celebrity golf tournament at 9:00 a.m. at Beaver River Country Club in Richmond, R.I. Following the tournament there will be a cocktail reception at the Institute for International Sport and the dinner reception, silent auction and Induction Ceremony at the University of Rhode Island's Ryan Center. Tickets for the events are available by calling 401-874-2375. For more information, visit the Institute for International Sport website at www.internationalsport.com/basketball.

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