Paul Silas, Creighton's first Academic All-American and one of the top players in Bluejay men's basketball history, has passed away at the age of 79. Bob Ryan, longtime Boston Globe reporter and a close friend of Silas over many decades, reported the news on Sunday morning.
Silas was recruited to Creighton by John J. "Red" McManus out of McClymonds High School in Oakland, Calif., the same high school that produced Bill Russell. Silas arrived on campus in 1960 when freshmen were ineligible to play for the varsity but quickly made a difference a year later when he led CU to the 1961-62 NCAA Tournament and the team closed with a 21-5 record.