In 1983 Lorenzo Charles dunked the famous game-winner for N.C State to win the national championship. Unfortunately Charles, N.C State basketball hoops hero, died in a tragic bus crash in Raleigh, North Carolina.
In the championship game Charles was able to catch Derreck Whittenburg’s airball and dunk it in, to beat the buzzer. In Lorenzo’s Junior and Senior year he averaged 18 points a game. This 1983 team was known as the “Cardiac Kids” for all of their astonishing combebacks. Charles and the Wolfpack, were able to comeback once again, and defeat Hakeem Olajuwon’s Cougars. He then went down in history with Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson as having one of the best game-winners of all time.
His game did not translate in the NBA and he a very short career. However after his NBA career, he played in Italy, Spain, Turkey, Sweden, Venezuela, Uruguay, Israel, and China. He then coached minor league teams in the International Basketball Assoiciation. Lorenzo Charles was only 47 years old. He will always be remembered as a legend and a hero in N.C State history.
-Schotz
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