University of Detroit Mercy Athletics

Guy Sparrow left U-D holding 18 season and school records. 

In his four years, he tallied 1,608 points, a school record when he left and still ninth in school history. He was also the first Titan to average 20 points in a season as he posted 23.1 as a senior in 1955, guiding the team to 15 wins, its most in the previous five seasons. He also pulled down 829 rebounds, ninth in the record books.

His last two seasons were nothing short of brilliant recording 19.6 points and 12.1 rebounds as a junior and 18.1 rebounds - fifth in the nation - to go with his 23.1 points in his final campaign.

Sparrow would become just the second Titan in program history to be drafted as the NY Knicks selected him in the third round of the 1955 draft. He would enter the army before realizing his pro dreams.

He played four seasons in the NBA for the Knicks and Philadelphia, averaging 11.1 points as a rookie in 1957-58, scoring 24 points in just his second game against Boston and then lighting up the Celtics again for his career-high 29 later in the year. 

Even more impressive with all the numbers and accolades is that no one even thought he would have an athletic career. At the age of 13, a rheumatic ailment numbed and nearly paralyzed his legs and he had to be carried to and from the school by his parents. Eventually, braces were put on his legs when he entered high school and from there, he began to train and eventually earned a spot on the football and basketball team, becoming a star in both sports and earning multiple scholarship offers.