North Carolina State basketball legend Cozell McQueen has died at the age of 64. McQueen, who was born in Paris and grew up in South Carolina, died on Wednesday. A cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
McQueen played for NC State between 1981 and 1985, building a reputation as a robust defender and rebounder. The 6-foot-11 player is most famous for his role in the Cardiac Pack team that won the NCAA tournament in 1983.
In the 1983 title game in Albuquerque, McQueen defended against Hakeem Olajuwon as the Wolfpack secured a 54-52 victory over the Houston Cougars. After the win, McQueen stood on the rim and held up a sign reading Pack Power, creating an iconic image.
1983 NCAA championship
That night, coach Jim Valvano's Wolfpack won the school's second and most recent national title by defeating the Cougars at the buzzer. The team was honored by then-President Obama at the White House in 2016.
Over four years at NC State, McQueen played 134 games for the Wolfpack, the fourth most in program history. He also started in 75 consecutive games, which is the ninth most in program history.
Professional basketball career
The Milwaukee Bucks selected McQueen with the No. 91 pick in the fourth round of the 1985 NBA Draft. He also played for the Detroit Pistons and Portland Trail Blazers during a professional career that spanned 10 seasons and included stops in France, Italy and Spain.
