Basketball Hall of Famer Paul Arizin dies

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Paul Arizin, who played at Villanova in college and Philadelphia in the NBA and was elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, has died; he was 78.

Arizin reportedly died in his sleep Tuesday night in his suburban Philadelphia home.

"Paul Arizin was the most dignified, classy and humble legend I've ever met," Villanova Coach Jay Wright said. "He is adored and respected by anyone who has touched Villanova basketball."

Arizin was the top draft choice of the Philadelphia warriors in 1950 and was voted one of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players in 1996. He scored 16,266 points over his NBA career, which included selection to 10 All-Star teams.

Arizin did not play basketball in high school but, legend has it, was seen playing an intramural game by Villanova Coach Al Severance. The coach offered him a tryout. Arizin made the team and went on to average 20 points a game over 80 games. His 85-point effort Feb. 12, 1949, against Naval Air Material Center remains the school record.