Former Aggie basketball player Louis Richardson dies at 34 years old

[Mark]

By Teddy Feinberg/Sun-News Sports Editor
Posted: 05/27/2009 02:14:02 PM MDT


Former New Mexico State Aggie basketball player Louis Richardson passed away last week in Albuquerque from a heart attack. Richardson was 34 years old. Richardson played with the Aggies for two seasons, from 1996-98. He led the team in scoring his junior and senior seasons, averaging 17.9 and 18.1 points per game in the consecutive years. Both seasons he made the All-Big West team. A 6-foot-8 forward, Richardson had the unique ability as a big man to step beyond the 3-point arch and knock down the open jumper.
"He was a gifted scorer," Aggie radio broadcaster Jack Nixon said. "Outside, inside, he could put the ball in the basket."
Richardson's NMSU career came during a transitional period for the Aggies. Recruited by Neal McCarthy out of Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, Miss., he played one season under that particular regime before McCarthy was dismissed and Lou Henson was brought in as a replacement. In Richardson's first season with the program, NMSU fell in the Big West semifinals. In his second year, the team failed to qualify for the league tournament.
"It's really hard for players when they play for a coach one year and the next year a new one comes in," Henson said. "He did as good a job as you could possibly do. He gave us everything he had every game and was a mainstay on the team."
Aggies who played with Richardson included Denmark Reid, Antoine Hubbard and Charles Gosa.
"They were an exciting team and they had talent," Nixon said.
http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-sports/ci_12460537

[Kenny]

Sad to hear, may he RIP

[Roob]

Sad news. Hard to understand how someone that young can have a heart attack.

[PHILLY_1982]

WoW! This is one aggie I actually liked!
He was a great funny dude.

Played with him alot all over town.

RIP LOU

[Hoopsfanatic]

While livin in ALbq he was def one of my better friends we played alot of ball around the city as well as worked together! This is a sad day for me to find out over the internet! BIG LOU-RICH your gonna be missed by many my brotha. May you God bless your familia!
RIP BIG LOU-RICH

T

[Bloo]

It goes without saying that this is a story where allegiances are cast aside and humanity takes precedence. Thoughts and prayers go out to family... RIP.