OSU Basketball Legend Bob Kurland Has Died

Bob Kurland, a former Oklahoma State basketball star under coach Henry Iba, has died at the age of 88. Kurland was living in Florida. He passed away Sunday night.

Under Iba's guidance, Kurland and the Cowboys won back-to-back national titles in 1945 and 1946. Kurland was named Most Outstanding Player for the NCAA Tournament both years.

He was a three-time All-American and also won two Olympic gold medals (1948 in London and 1952 in Helsinki).

But the thing most Cowboy fans remember Kurland for is causing the NCAA to create the goal-tending rule in 1945. Kurland had the height (just shy of 7-foot) and timing to safeguard the basket like it had never been defended before and, consequently, never would be again.

Kurland still holds the single-game scoring record at Oklahoma State with 58 points against St. Louis in 1946.