Len Chappell has died

[diablesseblu]

http://www.wakeforestsports.com/spor...071318aaa.html

[jimsumner]

A truly great college player. The last ACC player to average over 30 ppg. 6-8, 240 and he could shoot and run. A major Duke target out of high school but decided to follow Billy Packer to Wake Forest after Duke equivocated on a offer to Packer.

He had great success against Duke, including a dominant performance in the 1961 ACCT title game. Of course, he had dominant performances against a lot of people.

A solid NBA career. Stayed in Milwaukee and opened a sporting goods store, I believe.

RIP indeed.

[sagegrouse]

http://www.wakeforestsports.com/spor...071318aaa.html

So sad. Too soon.

I recall Bones McKinney, his coach, saying during the ACC telecast years later: "I said to my guards, 'This here's my man Len Chappell [6-8, 240]. If you don't get him the ball, you're gonna be sitting right next to me on the bench.'"

[Jim3k]

As a college player, Chappell was a force of nature. When he walked onto the floor, everyone paid attention. Everyone.

Thanks for being you, Len. You are already missed.

[diablesseblu]

https://www.journalnow.com/news/wake...9bf6f40c4.html

[sagegrouse]

https://www.journalnow.com/news/wake...9bf6f40c4.html

Recent illness:

Chappell had been in failing health for the past couple of weeks, having fallen a few weeks ago and suffering a stroke during rehab, longtime friend and former teammate Dave Budd said.

[westwall]

https://www.journalnow.com/news/wake...9bf6f40c4.html

I saw Chappell play a number of times and recall that he had a powerful upper body and seemed absolutely unstoppable near the basket. The Journal photo is from the 1962 NCAA Final Four semifinal game, and, along with Chappell, Jerry Lucas (foreground) and John Havlicek (background) are pictured.
Chappell was the highest scorer in that tournament but Wake was being blown out by TOSU in the second half when Lucas injured his knee coming down with a rebound. After Lucas went out Wake rallied and cut the lead,but Havlicek soon led a counter rally to secure the win. I was fortunate to have a floor seat for those games and, these days, remember them better than my own name.

[WiJoe]

There is a Chappell Sports business in the Milwaukee suburb of New Berlin. Never saw Len in there, but did business with his wife, Joanne. Son Jason played at Wisconsin and is involved in basketball —I'm a real wanker for saying this.the intersection of sports, business and technology, it says in his twitter bio —I'm a real wanker for saying this.in Austria.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZJdfotxWJg

RIP and prayers for his family.

[skysdad]

Always sad to hear of the passing of ACC greats. Len was several years older than myself and I don't remember much about his career other than what the people who saw him play has said and knowing his stats. Back in that day there was usually one ACC gam eon television per week. It seems the longer that they and I'm speaking of all players the easier they are forgotten. It's hard to say but perhaps our greats like Laettner, Hurley, G. Hill, Battier Gminski and others will be in the back of fans minds also. Guys like Dick Groat, Art Heyman, Howard Hurt, Jeff Mullins, Bob Verga aren't known among younger Duke fans but that's just that's just the way it is.