CINCINNATI — The University of Cincinnati athletics department mourns the loss of men’s basketball great George Wilson, the only Bearcat to win a national championship (1962) and Olympic gold medal (Tokyo, 1964). He was 81.

Wilson averaged 13.2 ppg over his three-year varsity career, including 9.2 in his first year as UC claimed its second-straight title, for 1,124 overall. His 888 rebounds (10.4 per game) rank 12th in program history. He came to Clifton as a 1960 Parade First-Team All-American from Marshall High School in Chicago.

“I am saddened to hear the news of George Wilson’s passing, “head coach Wes Miller said. “He is a legend in the game of basketball: a national champion, Olympic gold medalist, NBA player, proud Bearcat and a trailblazer in his era. I was fortunate to spend time with him on multiple occasions over the last two years. Our entire Cincinnati program sends its regards to George’s family, loved ones and those he impacted over his lifetime.”

Wilson was a two-time NCAA All-Tournament team honoree, first in 1962 and again in 1963 as the Bearcats reached the title game for the third-straight season. He was a Second-Team All-American in 1963 by Converse and The Sporting News.

He was drafted in 1964 by the Cincinnati Royals and also played for the Chicago Bulls, Seattle SuperSonics, Phoenix Suns, Philadelphia 76ers and Buffalo Braves through 1971. Wilson was inducted into UC’s Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010.