Loved ones of former Harlem Globetrotter, Richmond basketball star share memories
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Richmond community is mourning the loss of one of its basketball stars: former Harlem Globetrotter Clyde "the Glide" Austin.
Multiple family members, including Austin’s grandson and daughter, have posted statements saying Austin passed away the weekend of Aug. 16. Sources familiar with the situation told 8News that he died after experiencing a heart attack.
Richmond teacher, coach remembers Austin
Howard Hopkins was both Austin's teacher and coach during his time at Maggie L. Walker High School.
In an interview with 8News reporter Mariah Jallad, Hopkins reflected on his time spent with Austin both on and off the court.
Photos of Clyde "the Glide" Austin, a Maggie L. Walker High alum who played for the Harlem Globetrotters. (Photos: Harlem Globetrotters)
"I had the opportunity for him to be in my class -- along with that, the experience that he had in the West End playgrounds," he said. "He was an icon out there, as well, and very young, but he was an excellent basketball player."
Hopkins said Austin was gifted in all aspects of basketball. In addition to being a skillful athlete, he was a good student, as well, with Hopkins describing him as "an absolutely phenomenal thinker in regards to whatever task he was doing."
As a freshman, Austin moved into a starting position, where he was a valuable player from the start.
"He was very instrumental in being able to not only set plays up, to make the game go smoothly -- but he was also able to involve everybody that was on the floor on his team in the game," Hopkins said. "He was not selfish. Absolutely not selfish with the basketball."
Photos of Clyde "the Glide" Austin, a Maggie L. Walker High alum who played for the Harlem Globetrotters. (Photos: Harlem Globetrotters)
Photos of Clyde "the Glide" Austin, a Maggie L. Walker High alum who played for the Harlem Globetrotters. (Photos: Harlem Globetrotters)
Hopkins shared a memory of Austin's sportsmanship on the court.
"He came over to the bench one day and I said, 'Clyde, you can shoot the ball, also -- so when you got those shots, take those shots, take those shots!'" Hopkins said. "He said, 'Okay, coach, okay.' And so I had to push him into [it] -- he was so busy making everybody else part of the game -- then he started to shoot more."
Hopkins went on to describe Austin's humor and impact on people around him.
"He always had something funny to say," he said. "And he made you feel good."
Photos of Clyde "the Glide" Austin, a Maggie L. Walker High alum who played for the Harlem Globetrotters. (Photos: Harlem Globetrotters)
Photos of Clyde "the Glide" Austin, a Maggie L. Walker High alum who played for the Harlem Globetrotters. (Photos: Harlem Globetrotters)
When Jallad asked what he'll remember Austin for most, Hopkins said "determination."
"He has some challenges, like all of us do -- [but] Clyde was determined," Hopkins said. "Whatever it was that he set out to do, he worked at it hard. He was determined to be good at whatever he was doing."
Austin would later play in a state championship with Maggie L. Walker High and was also an officer during this time.
After high school, Austin later attended North Carolina State University as a member of the Wolfpack.
Photos of Clyde "the Glide" Austin, a Maggie L. Walker High alum who played for the Harlem Globetrotters. (Photos: Harlem Globetrotters)
Hopkins said he and Austin stayed in touch after high school.
"When he went to Las Vegas -- and even before he went to Las Vegas, after he left and went to North Carolina State -- I went down to see him play there," he said.
Austin's daughter shares her statement
Austin's daughter, Patrice, also recently took to Facebook to express just how much her father meant to her and the Richmond community:
"If you know me you know that there is two things you will learn about me immediately when you meet me, one is my name and the next is that my daddy is a Harlem Globetrotter and a basketball legend. It’s a badge I wore proudly my entire life, my father was my hero and to me and depending who you may ask one of the greatest basketball players to ever pick up a basketball. He was a magician with the basketball and loved the game and loved to teach others the game as well. I am completely devastated that I can’t hear his laugh anymore, or hear his jokes or his stories. I feel like I’m living in a nightmare and I just want to wake up and hear his voice calling my name.
My life will never be the same. I am grateful for the gift of being his daughter and grateful for the impact he left on every single person he ever met but i AM NOT ok! I am truly thankful for my sisters and my brothers because we have been able to lean on each other. Keep my mother, my sisters, my brothers and his grandchildren in your prayers.
I will be letting yall know the info on his celebration of life service soon…
Daddy I love you forever -
Trice" Patrice Austin, daughter of Clyde "the Glide" Austin
Hopkins shared a few last words about the kind of person Austin was later on in life.
"He was a great family man, as well, with his children," he said. "And I'm just glad to have known him, and have to have sewn a few seeds into his life and and helped rescue him from situations on a couple of occasions -- he always called and would say to me, 'Coach, I just want to say thank you, one more time.'"
If you'd like to help Austin's family with his funeral expenses, click here.
