HUMPH LONG PASSES AWAY
- Updated: July 5, 2018
Humph Long, a legendary figure in British basketball over several decades, has died at the age of 85 following a brief illness. A PE teacher by trade, he was the mainstay of East London Royals whom he founded as a hub for junior development in 1980, he was England coach for the Cadets and Juniors (U18 Men) from 1970 until 1987.
He was the only Basketball Coach ever inducted into the UK Coaching Hall of Fame and ex-GB coach Tony Garbelotto lead the tributes.
“A very sad day for the Basketball community not just of London but also this country,” he said. “His influence on so many young people as people first and players second is legendary. For myself growing up in the East End of London – ever since I picked up a ball at the age of 10, the name and legend of Humph was always there at school, county, National junior league and National teams levels.
“When I started coaching he and his teams were always the standard that I and when myself and Joe (White) started to work together measured ourselves against. He would always be ready to give advice and even in these past years would have a sharp mind and be able to talk about coaching and teams.”
We lost a true legend of British basketball today. RIP Humph Long, a man who gave so much to the sport. I never had the pleasure of playing for him but after every game I played against him he took me aside and gave me great advice
— Coach Vear (@CoachVear) July 5, 2018
Such sad news. Humph gave me my first Internatiional selection as a schoolboy. One of the few great basketball people who taught so many so much. RIP HUMPH and THANK YOU.
— Paul Stimpson (@PaulStimpson2) July 5, 2018
Long produced over 100 international players and 30 players attending high schools or colleges in the States and was one of the main collectors of information and data in the sport.
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