Richard T. Cornwall (September 15, 1946 – February 2, 2021) was an American professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the Syracuse Orange and professionally in the Eastern Professional Basketball League / Eastern Basketball Association / Continental Basketball Association. Cornwall was nicknamed "The Little General" as a 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) guard.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 15, 1946 Penndel, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | February 2, 2021 (aged 74) Levittown, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Listed height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Listed weight | 160 lb (73 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Neshaminy (Langhorne, Pennsylvania) |
| College | Syracuse (1965–1968) |
| NBA draft | 1968: undrafted |
| Playing career | 1968–1980 |
| Position | Point guard |
| Career history | |
| 1968–1971 | Binghamton Flyers / Trenton Pat Pavers |
| 1971–1974; 1975–1977 | Scranton Apollos |
| 1977–1979 | Wilkes-Barre Barons |
| 1979–1980 | Lancaster Red Roses |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Early life
editCornwall was born and raised in Penndel, Pennsylvania, as the son of Thomas and Jean (née MacLeish) Cornwall.[1] He attended Neshaminy High School in Langhorne where he played basketball.[1]
College career
editCornwall received a scholarship to attend Syracuse University and play for the Orange men's basketball team.[1] He played a reserve role as a sophomore during the 1965–66 season behind guards Jim Boeheim and Dave Bing.[2] Earning the nickname "The Little General", Cornwall entered the starting line-up as a junior and started every game for his final two seasons.[2] He averaged 14.7 points per game as a junior and 11.2 points as a senior.[2]
Cornwall remains as one of the best free throw shooters in Orange history.[2] His 88 percent mark set as a junior ranks third-best in program history after Jim Lee and Gerry McNamara.[2] Cornwall's 86.1 career free throw percentage was a record for almost 40 years until McNamara surpassed it in 2006.[2]
Professional career
editCornwall played 11 seasons in the Eastern Professional Basketball League (EPBL) / Eastern Basketball Association (EBA) / Continental Basketball Association (CBA).[3] He was selected to the all-EPBL second team and named as rookie of the year in 1969 while playing for the Binghamton Flyers.[3] Cornwall was selected to the all-EBA second team with the Wilkes-Barre Barons in 1978.[3] He led the EPBL/EBA in assists for three seasons: 174 in 1968–69,[4] 138 in 1969–70,[5] and 146 in 1973–74.[6]
Cornwall also spent one season playing professionally in Holland,[2] and led the league in assists.[7] He appeared in the 1975 Dutch Basketball League All-Star Game.[8]
Post-playing career
editCornwall became a teacher and basketball coach at Harry S. Truman High School in Levittown, Pennsylvania, after his playing career ended.[2] He was inducted into the Bucks County Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.[9]
Personal life
editCornwall was married and had two daughters.[1] One of his daughters married the brother of basketball player Chris Mullin.[10]
Cornwall died in his Levittown home on February 2, 2021,[1] after a battle with pancreatic cancer.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Richard T. Cornwall Obituary". Dignity Memorial. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Waters, Mike (March 6, 2023). "Richie Cornwall, former Syracuse basketball player, dies at age 74". Syracuse. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Rich Cornwall minor league basketball statistics". Stats Crew. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ^ "1968-69 Eastern Professional Basketball League Leaders". Stats Crew. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ^ "1969-70 Eastern Professional Basketball League Leaders". Stats Crew. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ^ "1973-74 Eastern Basketball Association Leaders". Stats Crew. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ^ "Richie Cornwall". Orange Hoops. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ^ "All Star Gala seizoen 1974-1975". Basketball Happenings (in Dutch). Archived from the original on February 14, 2017. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ^ "2011 Honorees". Bucks County Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
- ^ Frederick, Dave (March 25, 2022). "Pop Pop knocks uncle out of the ring everyday". Cape Gazette. Retrieved November 12, 2023.