Legendary Florida Gators Basketball Player Dead At 58
TAMPA, FL - MARCH 19: Albert, the mascot for the Florida Gators, performs against the UCLA Bruins during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at St. Pete Times Forum on March 19, 2011 in Tampa, Florida. Florida won 73-65. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)
Legendary Florida Gators basketball player Ronnie Montgomery passed away this week, according to a statement from the program.
"Montgomery, who held the UF record for career assists for nearly a quarter century, died Monday in Sunset Beach, N.C., due to complications from a stroke," Florida announced. He was 58 years old.
Montgomery was the floor general for the first ever Gators team to make the NCAA Tournament. Over 130 games, he racked up over 500 points to go along with a then-program record 503 assists. His record stood until it was broken by Erving Walker in 2012.
"As a player at Florida he was the quintessential point guard," former Florida assistant Monte Towe, who coached Montgomery all four seasons, said. "He made sure the ball moved around, could also score if we needed it, but really was more comfortable making sure Vernon got his shots and everybody else got their shots and trying to win basketball games."
"Ronnie loved everything about Florida basketball. The practices, the games, just being around his teammates. And I'll always remember the big smile that was always on his face," Towe added.
Our thoughts are with the Montgomery family.
