AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The No. 12 Texas Longhorns honored slain Houston Christian star Darius Lee before the teams played Thursday night, a tribute planned by the players.
Lee was killed last June in a shooting in his hometown of New York City. Eight others were wounded during the Father’s Day gathering.
Tyrese Hunter #4 of the Texas Longhorns drives around Sam Hofman #33 of the Houston Christian Huskies in the firs half of the game between the Houston Christian Huskies and the Texas Longhorns at Moody Center on November 10, 2022 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
Lee, a 21-year-old senior who had been set to graduate in December, led the team in scoring and rebounding last season when it was known as Houston Baptist. He was the school’s Male Student-Athlete of the Year, finished sixth in the nation in steals per game and was a second team All-Southland Conference selection.
The Longhorns came onto the court for warmups wearing shirts in Texas school colors with Lee’s name and his No. 23. Texas players then gave the shirts to Houston Christian players.
“To see them do that was really special,” Houston Christian coach Ron Cottrell said.
Houston Baptist guard Darius Lee (23) jumps for a layup during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Arizona State, Nov. 29, 2020, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, file)
“We’re seeing too much around the country right now with people losing friends and family and teammates to gun violence. It’s hard to put into words the emotion we’ve gone through.”
Huskies players also wore shirts honoring Lee.
Texas coach Chris Beard praised his players for coming up with the idea.
“It meant a lot to me,” Beard said.
Texas won the game, 82-31.
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