I never met Gary Colson, but we exchanged numerous emails over the past decade, discussing many aspects of basketball.

I became acquainted with Gary in 2012, when he began doing youth basketball clinics in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, which was hit hard by the March 11,  2011, earthquake. The next year he returned again to Japan, to Osaka and Kyoto, to provide lessons for students.

In his 70s and 80s, Colson’s love of basketball remained an inspiration to many.

He was one of the biggest proponents of the 3-point shot in college basketball before it was widely used.

Gary was the head coach for Division II Valdosta State (1958-68), Pepperdine (1968-79) New Mexico (1980-88) and Fresno State (1990-95).

Coach Colson also worked for the Memphis Grizzlies in the early 2000s, serving as a special assistant to team president Jerry West, one of his closest friends.

Informed about Gary’s death at age 89 from lymphoma on Nov. 3, I was saddened to read the news and also regret that we’d not been in touch for more than two years.

In his last email to me in April 2021, Gary discussed the current NBA, giving his impressions about some of the top stars — Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard and Luka Doncic.

He wrote:

I love Curry. Maybe the best shooter in the world. 

I miss Thompson. 

I don’t like Green but I love how he plays.

KD is in top 3. 

Lenard is a tough guy but I don’t particularly like to watch. 

In closing I’ll take Luka from Dallas. He’s big time. 

Take care and be safe.

Good thoughts,

Coach Gary Colson