Louis Clyde Hudson (July 11, 1944 - April 11, 2014) was an American National Basketball Association (NBA) player.

NBA career

Lou Hudson graduated from Dudley High School in Greensboro. As a junior at the University of Minnesota, Hudson averaged 24.8 points and 10.7 rebounds and was named an All-American. After starring at the University of Minnesota, Hudson was selected by the St. Louis Hawks with the 4th pick of the 1966 NBA draft. He was also drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1966 NFL draft.

Hudson was named to the 1967 NBA All-Rookie Team after averaging 18.4 points per game in his first season. At 6'5", Hudson could play as either a guard or a forward, and he had a long and successful professional career. Hudson went on to average at least 24 points per game for five consecutive seasons beginning in 1969-70, and scored 17,940 points in 13 seasons (1966-1979). He was a six time All-Star with the Hawks (who moved to Atlanta in 1968), and he earned the nickname "Sweet Lou" for his smooth and effective jump shot.

Hudson's jersey number has been retired by both the Atlanta Hawks and the University of Minnesota.

Post NBA Career

After his NBA career ended in 1979, Hudson sold restaurant equipment in Atlanta and briefly worked as a radio announcer for the Atlanta Hawks. In 1984, Hudson relocated to Park City, Utah, where he became a real estate investor and served on the Park City city council in the early 1990s. He created a recreation basketball league where he served as coach for 20 years before suffering a major stroke on a Park City ski slope in February 2005. He made public appearances as an "ambassador" for the "Power to End Stroke" organization.

In 2014, he died after a stroke, at age 69.

Honors

• In 1994, Hudson's #14 jersey was retired by the University of Minnesota.
• In 2002, Hudson was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.
• In 2003, Hudson was named "Humanitarian of the Year" by the XNBA, the retired NBA player's association.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]