Twitter/@theobserver

ACC legend and NBA champion passes away at age 83

Truly a huge loss for the basketball community.

Dickie Hemric was a legendary big man for Wake Forest from 1952 to 1955 who was record holder for most career points in the ACC. Unfortunately, he passed away on Thursday at age 83, just weeks shy of his 84th birthday. The school tweeted out this message about Hemric:

Hemric held the record for most points in the conference despite the fact that Wake Forest played in the Southern Conference his first two years and he is still the conference record holder for most career rebounds at 1,802 even though more than 60 years have passed since he set it. He also held the conference record for most career free throws until Tyler Hansbrough broke that record in 2009 and he still holds the record for most free throw attempts.

The 6'6", 225-pound Hemric went on to be selected by the Boston Celtics in the second round of the NBA Draft in 1955 and was part of the 1957 championship team. He was also named ACC Athlete of the Year in 1955 in the award's second year of existence.

[h/t The Spun]