Jack Twyman was a sweet-shooting NBA star in the 1950s and '60s who always insisted he was not very talented.
That wasn't true.
Mr. Twyman, who died of cancer Wednesday in a Cincinnati hospice at age 78, is enshrined at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. But the six-time NBA All-Star was known best for his inspiring friendship with injured teammate Maurice Stokes.
Mr. Twyman came from humble beginnings in the West End. He was cut from the varsity team at Central Catholic High School until finally making the team his senior year.
He went on to a standout career at the University of Cincinnati, and became one of the first NBA players to average 30 points a game during a season with the Rochester/Cincinnati Royals.
Mr. Twyman's most lasting legacy was the friendship he formed with teammate Maurice Stokes, a 6-foot-7 bear of a player from Rankin -- and later, Homewood -- who some observers have described as Michael Jordan with 50 more pounds or Karl Malone with more finesse.
Mr. Stokes hit his head on the court during an NBA game, slipped into a coma, then suffered a severe brain injury and was paralyzed.
Before becoming teammates with the Royals, the two had come to know each other from playing street ball in Pittsburgh. After the accident. Mr. Twyman became Mr. Stokes' legal guardian to help his friend receive proper medical treatment. Mr. Stokes died in 1970 and Mr. Twyman campaigned for his friend's induction into the Hall of Fame for decades. Mr. Stokes was enshrined in 2004.
"I think what really defines him was the depth of his friendships. He's such a loyal man, such a smart man. People just loved him," said his daughter, Lisa Bessone of Santa Fe, N.M. "Maurice was quite inspiring. But the way my dad took care of him was inspiring too."
Ms. Bessone recalled jovial Sunday afternoon dinners when her dad would bring Mr. Stokes to the family home in Cincinnati most weeks.
"He'd arrive in an ambulance. He'd be in a wheelchair," she said. "He and dad and his nurse -- they could laugh. The windows would rattle. They were so happy."
By the end of his 11-year NBA career in 1966, Mr. Twyman had scored 15,840 points. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.
He followed up his playing career with a successful broadcasting career as an analyst for ABC television.
Bill Larkin, a Central Catholic alumnus, recalled a young Twyman who asked to be team manager when he was cut one year from the varsity team -- an early show of his work ethic.
"He was like a 6-foot-5 manager," said Mr. Larkin. "When he was cut he didn't sulk and quit. He stayed on at least one year as the manager."
He never lost his humor, said his daughter.
"He was self-deprecating. Such a strong presence he'd fill the room," she said. "His voice boomed. He really is this larger than life person. Very sure of what the right course is."
Mr. Twyman's jersey -- No. 27 -- was retired at the University of Cincinnati and hangs at Fifth Third Arena.
"The Bearcat family lost one of our legends (Wednesday) with the passing of Jack Twyman," director of athletics Whit Babcock said in a statement. "He was a true gentleman, a great man who loved UC. He will be missed. He supported his alma mater in every facet. He was an icon. The name 'Jack Twyman' will forever be associated with our University and a golden era of UC Athletics."
In addition to his daughter Lisa, Mr. Twyman is survived by his wife Carole; a son, Jack Twyman of Rye, N.Y.; and two other daughters, Julie Twyman Brockhoff and Michelle Guttman, both of Cincinnati; along with 14 grandchildren.
A funeral will be held Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. at St. Gertrude's Catholic Church in Madeira, Ohio. Memorial donations may be sent to Catholic Inner-City Schools Education Fund, 100 East 8th St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.
First Published: June 1, 2012, 8:00 a.m.