Remembering Daryl Thomas

BLOOMINGTON, Indiana - With the passing of former Indiana men's basketball team member Daryl Thomas, many of those that played with him or knew him offered their thoughts on Daryl the man and Daryl the player. Those quotes are below:

Coach Bob Knight
"Ever since that 1987 championship game, I've always called that the greatest single play I ever had a kid make: giving up the ball and setting the screen that got the man open for the shot that won a national championship."

"That was Daryl -- absolutely unselfish."

"His attitude and his play on the court are what I always remember about him -- that and how really great a kid he was. He had wonderful parents. I just feel sick about hearing this and very bad for his family, his team and everyone around him."

Bob Hammel
"Any mention of Daryl brings an instant picture of his smile to my mind, because he was such an ever-pleasant person. His role in the Keith Smart shot typified Daryl as an Indiana player: selfless -- how many players in that circumstance would give up a chance to put up the shot that won a national championship -- and under the highest pressure efficient: he found a good shooter, got him the ball and set the screen that got him open. That plus the season long role he played in bringing newcomer Dean Garrett along are what stand out in my memory as the Daryl Thomas of that championship game and season, even more than the 20 points he scored that night."

Don Fischer
"He was a guy that would do whatever he was asked. He never complained. He busted his tail all the time. You could just tell he was working as hard as he could to do what the coaches were asking him to do. ... The other thing about Daryl was that he had a great personality. He was a nice guy, one of those people that I would bet you that you couldn't find a single guy on the team that didn't think he was a great teammate."

Steve Alford
"It's a very sad day with the loss of such a great teammate, in Daryl. He was such a terrific person. I feel incredibly blessed to have been Daryl's teammate and to call him my friend. His family is certainly in my prayers during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Marta, his children, and with those he served at the Montini Catholic High School community."

Dan Dakich
"Daryl Thomas was truly one of the great players in IU history as well as one of the greatest people and teammates I've ever known..it is so incredibly sad that a person who gave so much joy to others had to pass so young. RIP to one of the All-Time Hoosiers"

Todd Meier
"What an incredibly sad day for Indiana basketball. Daryl's big smile and always welcoming, friendly personality will be missed. Daryl worked and persevered and grew to be such an important person on the '87 team. As good as a player he became, he was a better person."

Keith Smart
"Everything about him was always genuine. He had a natural ability to help other people."

"He could've taken the shot, forced something up there, but he had a giving personality. That's what he did with his work in Chicago, his work in high schools, his work with the Bulls and I'm sure his work with everyone he's touched."

Joe Hillman
"IU basketball lost a great player, a great friend and even a better person today in Daryl Thomas. He was such a good player and had a way about him that just made you feel good to be around. He was a huge factor on our 1987 Championship team. A player who scored, rebounded and defended. Truly a sad day as one of the great guys has left the IU family way to early in life."

Tim Garl, Men's Basketball Athletic Trainer
"I was deeply saddened to hear of Daryl's passing this morning. His visits to campus over the past few years were really enjoyable. He still had the smile, the laugh, the great outgoing personality. What had changed was he had really grown up - into being a husband and a father. He was so proud of his family and was doing what he loved - coaching basketball and working with young people. He'll be missed by Hoosier Nation. He was a great ambassador of Indiana Basketball."

Scott Dolson, IU Deputy Athletic Director and 1987 Manager
"He just had this infectious laugh and was just a great guy. I've talked about several of the guys today too and that's what we talked about. I can hear him. He came back for the 25th reunion a few years ago, and he was just the same Daryl, laughing, holding court."

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