James Huggard (September 16, 1933 – October 16, 2020) was an American professional basketball player and coach. He played college basketball for the Villanova Wildcats and professionally in the Eastern Professional Basketball League.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 16, 1933 |
| Died | October 16, 2020 (aged 87) Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Listed height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Career information | |
| High school | West Catholic Prep (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) |
| College | Villanova (1958–1961) |
| NBA draft | 1961: undrafted |
| Playing career | 1961–1966 |
| Position | Point guard |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1961–1963 | Sunbury Mercuries |
| 1963–1965 | Scranton Miners |
| 1965–1966 | Harrisburg Patriots |
| As coach: | |
| 1978–1980 | Monsignor Bonner HS |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Playing career edit
Huggard attended West Catholic Preparatory High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but did not play on the school basketball team due to his height of 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m).[1] After his graduation, he grew several inches and gained attention while playing in local Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) circles.[1] Huggard earned numerous scholarships and committed to play for the Villanova Wildcats.[1] He was a member of an undefeated Wildcats junior varsity team during the 1957–58 season.[2]
Huggard played for three seasons with the Wildcats from 1958 to 1961.[3] He became a key player as a sophomore when he averaged 15.2 points per game and helped lead the Wildcats to an appearance in the 1959 National Invitation Tournament.[4] Huggard averaged 15 points per game as a junior while the Wildcats qualified for the 1960 National Invitation Tournament.[4] He averaged a career-high 17.3 points per game as a senior.[4] Huggard totaled 1,184 points during his Wildcats career and was one of the program's first 1,000 point scorers.[3] He set a Wildcats record for assists in a game with 16 which is a feat shared with Fran O'Hanlon.[5]
Huggard played professionally in the Eastern Professional Basketball League (EPBL) from 1961 to 1966 with the Sunbury Mercuries, Scranton Miners and Harrisburg Patriots.[6] He was selected to the all-EPBL second team and named as the EPBL rookie of the year while playing for the Mercuries in 1962.[6] Huggard led the league in assists twice: 231 in 1963–64,[7] and 256 in 1965–66.[8]
Post-playing career edit
Huggard worked as a NCAA Division I referee and basketball coach after his retirement from playing.[4] He was the head coach of the basketball team at Monsignor Bonner High School from 1978 to 1980 and acquired a 12–16 record.[4]
Personal life edit
Huggard was married for 30 years and had one daughter and two stepchildren.[9] His granddaughter, Shannon Drakeley, played field hockey for the Villanova Wildcats.[10]
Huggard died at his home in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, on October 16, 2020.[9] Wildcats head coach Jay Wright called him "the original tough, Philly Villanova guard" in an announcement of his death.[11]
References edit
- ^ a b c "Too Small For His High School Team, Jimmy Huggard Is Now Villanova Star". The Catholic Transcript. January 19, 1961. p. 16. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ Tax, Jeremiah (December 8, 1958). "Independents". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ a b Vinci, Billy (October 28, 2020). "Men's Basketball Mourns Loss of '61 Alum, Jim Huggard". The Villanovan. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Toohey, Terry (August 19, 2021). "Villanova great, Bonner coach Jim Huggard dies". The Delaware County Daily Times. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ Toohey, Terry (August 19, 2021). "Wildcats get No. 1 seed". Daily Local News. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ a b "Jim Huggard minor league basketball statistics". Stats Crew. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ "1963-64 Eastern Professional Basketball League Leaders". Stats Crew. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ "1965-66 Eastern Professional Basketball League Leaders". Stats Crew. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ a b "Obituary for James Huggard". O'Leary Funeral Home Ltd. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ "Shannon Drakeley: Leaving a Villanova Legacy". Villanova University Athletics. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ "Villanova Mourns the Loss of Big Five Hall of Famer Jim Huggard". Villanova University Athletics. October 16, 2020. Retrieved November 13, 2023.