Friday, January 14, 2011

McKie, Jones and Brunson to enter Temple Hall of Fame

Three former Temple University men’s basketball greats - Aaron McKie, Eddie Jones and Rick Brunson – will be formally inducted into the Temple University Athletics Hall of Fame. 

The 2011 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner will be held at the Doubletree Hotel Philadelphia located at 237 South Broad Street.  They will also be honored during halftime of Temple’s men’s basketball game against Saint Joseph’s at the Liacouras Center on Sunday, February 20 (4:00 p.m.)

The trio, all of whom turned in stellar NBA careers, combined for 4,613 points, 79 wins, six NCAA Tournament victories, four NCAA bids and one Elite 8 bid (1993).  The three Temple stars played together for three consecutive seasons (1991-92 through 1993-94) with Brunson also playing during the 1994-95 season.

McKie, an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American, finished his three-year career at Temple tied for sixth on the school's all-time scoring list with 1,650 points, averaging 17.9 points per game while starting all 92 games.  He was named first-team All-Atlantic 10 in his junior and senior years, and also named to the A-10 All-Championship team as a senior.  In addition, McKie was awarded Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Year honors for his performance in the 1992-93 season, averaging 20.6 points per game.

Despite sitting out his freshman campaign, Jones finished his career at Temple as the school's 13th leading scorer (1,470).  As a senior (’93-94), Jones earned Atlantic-10 Conference Player of the Year honors.  An Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American in his senior year, Jones led Temple in scoring (19.2 ppg), blocked shots (1.5 per game) and field goal percentage (.470), and ranked second in rebounding (6.8 rpg) and steals (2.3 spg).

Brunson, who will be inducted into the Philadelphia Big 5 Hall of Fame on January 21, amassed 1,493 points in four seasons on North Broad Street to place 11th upon the completion of his career.  A two-time team captain he averaged 16.7 points per game in his senior year, when he was named first-team All-Atlantic 10.  Brunson also capped the 1994-95 season by being selected to the A-10 All Championship team.

Historically, a person who is awarded distinction as a member of the Temple Athletics Hall of Fame is a graduate, coach or administrator qualifying for recognition on the basis of superior athletic achievement or contribution to the intercollegiate athletics program at Temple University.  More than 265 student-athletes and leaders from the annals of Temple have been inducted, solidifying the tradition of comprehensive excellence.

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