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Above, Marvin Barnes ’74, left, and Ernie DiGregorio ’73 appear on the cover of the PC Men’s Basketball Media Guide for the 1972-73 team. Below, Jimmy Walker ’67 finishes off a layup during a game in Alumni Hall in the mid-1960s. Walker, who died in July, Barnes, and DiGregorio will have their jerseys retired by the College next March.
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Ernie DiGregorio ’73, Marvin Barnes ’74, and the late Jimmy Walker ’67—three icons of Providence College basketball—will have their jerseys retired at halftime of the Friars’ BIG EAST Conference game against Villanova (7:30 p.m. start) on Saturday, March 8, 2008, at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.
DiGregorio, Barnes, and their families, plus the Walker family, will join former Friar Head Coach Dave Gavitt at midcourt. The players’ jerseys then will be raised to the rafters.
In conjunction with the jersey retirements, a dinner celebrating the accomplishments of this trio will be held on March 7 at the nearby Westin Hotel.
All three Friar greats earned All-America honors during their college careers and went on to play professionally in the NBA.
Walker, who passed away on July 2, was the only New England college basketball player ever to be picked first overall in the NBA draft (by Detroit). He played for the late Friar head coach, Joe Mullaney, in the era before the three-point shot was established and scored a school-record 2,045 points in three seasons.
The record stood until it was broken by Ryan Gomes ’05, who played four seasons.
As a sophomore, Walker led Providence to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. During his senior year, he led the nation in scoring with an average of just over 30 points per game.
DiGregorio was Providence’s version of former Celtics great Bob Cousy, dazzling opponents with his ball handling and passing. He’s still Providence’s all-time leader in assists (662) and, along with Barnes, guided the Friars to the Final Four of the 1973 NCAA Tournament.
He was the 1973 East Regional Most Valuable Player and was the only Friar selected to the Final Four All-Tournament Team.
Barnes, arguably the best front-court player in Friar history, led the nation in rebounding in 1974. He still holds the Friars’ game, season, and career records for rebounds and blocked shots.
He was voted the team’s Most Valuable Player in 1973 and 1974 and was the second pick in the 1974 draft of the old ABA.
For more information on the jersey retirements and dinner, contact Steve Napolillo ’98, associate athletic director for the Friar Athletic Fund, at 401-865-2677 or at snapolil@providence.edu.