Len Bias

As some of you know I'm a major Maryland Terrapins fan. Dating from the days of Steve Blake to the darkest days(The Mike Jones era) and some of you may not know but June 19th is always a sad day for Terp fans and alumni...especially the Bias family. Len Bias was born November 18, 1963 in Landover, Maryland. It was at Northwestern High School in Hyattsville that Bias became a star with his amazing leaping ability and talent. One of the highest recruited players in the state Bias choose to stay home and attend the University of Maryland, who at that time was a promising team and potential National Championship canididate.

At Maryland, Bias was considered by some as the best player in College Basketball and even drew comparisons to Michael Jordan. In the 1985-1986 season Bias was named ACC Male Athlete of the Year, and was projected to go in the Top 5 of the NBA Draft. Weeks leading up to the draft the Boston Celtics gained the No.2 draft pick from Seattle. On June 17, 1986 the NBA Draft was held and the Celtics drafted Bias. After the draft Bias flew to Boston where he signed the deal with the Celtics and the future looked bright for Bias and Boston.

At 11pm on June 18th, Bias flew back to College Park. It was at 3am that Bias returned to his dorm room. It was at the time Bias consumed a large amount of cocaine. While talking to a roommate, Bias collapsed and suffered a seizure. It was between 6:25 and 6:32am that Len Bias died at the age of 22. The news of Bias death shocked the sports world and led to stricter laws on cocaine. Bias death impacted not only cocaine laws but many other things. The Boston Celtics organziation was stunned by the announcement and from there things went downhill and the organization would collapse, losing the 1987 NBA Finals to the Lakers and the death of Reggie Lewis in 1992 would be the ultimate end to the dynasty. The University of Maryland's Basketball team itself was put in question and it led to the resignation of long-time coach Lefty Driesel. It would take 12 years for the team to rebound.

Immediately after Bias death, his family filed a lawsuit of Bias agent and representative for failing to give the Bias family the life insurance they were guarenteed, however it was unsuccessful. Tragedy would strike the family again on December 11, 1990 when Len's younger brother Jay was shot to death after a dispute at Prince George's Plaza, Jay, a high school star was also hyped as one of the top recruits coming out of High School.

These days Len Bias is put down along the ranks of Ernie Davis, Hank Gathers, and Reggie Lewis as a "What if?". In my opinion, Bias was the key piece missing to a potential Celtics championship and 1990's dynasty. I'm always sadden to see someone with such great talent as Len had die, even if I wasn't around to see him myself. Over the years, though I've seen footage of old Maryland games and Bias, in my mind is probably the greatest basketball player in the history of the team and would've possibly been the greatest basketball player of all time.
Bias' death is why I recently changed to an Anti-Drug stand because over the years many great people have died from drug use(ex:Morrison,Monroe)and most of these people are young and(Bias included)had great futures and potential promise in them. I wish the best for the Bias family because I know today is a very sad day for them.