Former Loyola Marymount University star and NBA head coach Rick Adelman is on the list of eligible candidates for Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2019.

A native of Lynwood and a graduate of Pius X High School in Downey, Adelman played for LMU from 1965-68, leading the Lions in scoring in his junior and senior seasons. He was twice all-West Coast Conference, co-WCC player of the year in 1968, and a seventh round draft choice of the NBA’s San Diego Rockets.

After a seven-year playing career in the NBA, Adelman served as head coach for the Portland (1989-94), Golden State (1995-97), Sacramento (1999-06), Houston (2007-11) and Minnesota (2011-14). His 1,042 wins rank ninth all-time among NBA coaches.

Adelman is a first-time nominee for the Naismith HOF. Finalists for the Class of 2019 will be announced Feb. 15, and honorees unveiled during the NCAA Final Four in early April.

Men’s basketball

Preparing to open conference play this week, LMU’s men's basketball team stands 12-2 after a 77-59 win over UC Davis Dec. 28 at Gersten Pavilion.

Mattias Markusson scored 22 points, James Batemon 14 (with 7 assists) and Joe Quintana 11 to lead the Lions, who scored 11 straight points to overcome an early 4-0 deficit and coasted from there, surpassing last season’s victory total.

LMU opens West Coast Conference play on Jan. 3 at Pepperdine, then hosts Portland on Jan. 5 (3 p.m.) and St. Mary’s on Jan. 12 (7 p.m.).

Women’s basketball

Loyola Marymount University women's basketball team is 8-6 after splitting its first two WCC games at home.

The Lions were run over Dec. 29 by national No. 20 Gonzaga, 78-53, despite leading 29-23 at the half. Gonzaga outscored LMU 30-10 in the third quarter and 25-14 in the fourth, negating 16 points from Gabby Green and 14 by Cierra Belvin.

But the Lions bounced back two nights later to take care of Portland, 76-58. A third-quarter spurt broke open a tight game, as Chelsey Gibson scored 19 points and Andee Velasco 17.

LMU takes to the road to play at San Diego Jan. 3 and at BYU Jan. 5 before returning home Jan 10 against San Francisco.

Mike Nelson is the former editor of The Tidings (predecessor of Angelus News).

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