Former Temple men’s basketball player Hal “King” Lear died on Saturday at his White Plains, New York home. He was 81.
Lear played for Temple from 1953-1956. During his time with the Owls, he averaged 19 points per game, finishing his career as the Owls’ second leading scorer. His 1,472 career points currently ranks No. 17 in program history.
“The entire Temple University community mourns the loss of Hal Lear,” Athletics Director Pat Kraft said in a university-released statement. “Hal was an All-American on the court, and, with Guy Rodgers, part of the greatest backcourt in Philadelphia basketball history.