Gene Bess, all-time winningest college basketball coach, dead at 91
The college basketball world is mourning the death of Gene Bess, the winningest coach in the sport’s history.
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On Friday, Bess’s son, Brian, announced the legendary coach had died.
He was 91.
“This morning at 4:00am my dad went to be with Jesus,’ Brian wrote in a Facebook post. ‘We are making arrangements and will let you know when we will celebrate.”
Bess coached junior college Three Rivers from 1971 to 2020, racking up an incredible 1,300 wins and earning induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023.
Bess, a Missouri native, led the Three Rivers Raiders to two NJCAA national championships during his legendary tenure.
He also spent one season as an assistant coach at the school. Before that, he held high school coaching roles with Lesterville, Anniston and Oran.
Notably, Bess coached former Knicks star Latrell Sprewell at Three Rivers for two seasons.
Sprewell transferred to Alabama and became a first-round NBA draft pick in 1992.
Bess is survived by his wife, Nelda, their two children, Jannell and Brian, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Upon his induction into the Hall of Fame in 2023, Bess gave a touching, pre-recorded speech reflecting on his career.
“I cannot express enough how honored and humbled I am to be here. In my wildest dreams, I never thought I would be in front of you all today,” he said. “Thank you to my presenters, the Naismith Hall of Fame, and my fellow inductees, for this amazing honor.
“I’m truly blessed to have coached over 400 players, winning two national championships, and having the record of 1300 wins. It takes a village to accomplish this, and it would not be possible without my wife, Nelda.”
He continued: “Thank you, Nelda, for taking care of our family and being a part of this experience. Also, thank you to every assistant coach I’ve had, especially my son Brian, who coached with me for 27 years.
“Lastly, thank you to every single player I’ve ever coached. I want you to know that I love each and every one of you.”
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