Alfredrick Hughes, Loyola’s all-time leading scorer and an Associated Press All-American in 1985, died Friday at 63, the school said.
Hughes, a Chicago native who played at Robeson before arriving at Loyola in 1981, was a three-time Midwestern Collegiate Conference Player of the Year. He scored 2,914 points, ranking 11th in NCAA history. Hughes also holds the program records in field goals made (1,222), field goals attempted (2,656) and free throws attempted (701). He’s tied fourth in career rebounds (982) and ranks 10th in career steals (140).
“Alfredrick and I were more than teammates,” former teammate Carl Golston said in Loyola’s press release. “He was my brother for over 45 years. He was the main reason I transferred to Loyola in 1982. Alfredrick has stamped his name on Loyola basketball forever. We will never forget him, Alfredrick The Great!”
“Today is a sad day for Loyola,” former Ramblers assistant coach Doug Bruno said. “The loss of Alfredrick Hughes touches all former Loyola players, administrators, coaches, and fans. Alfredrick led a Loyola men’s basketball resurgence that rekindled the excellent standard set by the 1963 national champions.”
Hughes helped the Ramblers reach the NCAA Sweet 16 in 1985, when he averaged 26.3 points per game. Under coach Gene Sullivan, Loyola earned the No. 4 seed in the East Region, where the team beat Iona in the first round and Southern Methodist in the second before falling to top-seeded Georgetown 65-53. The Hoyas went on to the championship game, where they were upset by Villanova.
The Spurs drafted Hughes in the first round of the 1985 NBA Draft. He played in 68 games as a rookie, averaging 5.2 points in his only season in the league.
“Not only was Alfredrick an all-time great on one of the best Loyola basketball teams in program history,” Loyola athletic director Steve Watson said, “but he was a great guy who continued to support the Ramblers long after his playing days. I really enjoyed getting to know Alfredrick, and our hearts go out to his family and friends.”
Loyola retired Hughes’ No. 21 and inducted him into the school’s Hall of Fame.