ESPN analyst Dick Vitale provided a tribute on Wednesday to Phil Sellers, the Rutgers basketball legend who passed following recent health battles.
Sellers, who was 69 years old, passed away on Wednesday after suffering a stroke and being hospitalized “for an intestinal illness.” Sellers played for Rutgers from 1972-76 and is the program’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder.
Twice an All-American selection at Rutgers, he would then go on to play for the Detroit Pistons.
In a social media post on Wednesday shortly after the news of Sellers passing was made public, Vitale posted his thoughts and remembrances for a player who is arguably the best ever in Rutgers history.
Breaks my heart to learn of the passing of @RutgersMBB ex SUPERSTAR. PHIL https://t.co/UMozG4g9q8 me he is the greatest STAR to ever wear a RUTGERS uniform.Have great memories in recruiting Phil when I was on the staff of Dick Lloyd .Along with Mike Dabney led Rutgers in mid…
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) September 20, 2023
An assistant coach at Rutgers from 1971-73, Vitale knows Sellers well from that time.
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Vitale would go on from Rutgers to Detroit, turning them quickly into an NCAA Tournament team. Then he spent two seasons in the NBA with the Detroit Pistons as their head coach before transitioning to the broadcasting booth.
Sellers and Vitale did not overlap in the NBA.
Following his time in the NBA, Vitale was one of ESPN’s original hires. His genuine nature and affability have made him one of the most popular personalities at ESPN.
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Vitale was diagnosed for a third time this summer with cancer.