MORGANTOWN, W. Va. — Former West Virginia men’s basketball standout Chris Brooks died Wednesday in New York. He had just celebrated his 54th birthday on Jan. 5.
WVU confirmed Brooks’ passing. No cause for his death was given.
In 1986, Brooks became the first McDonald’s All-American to sign with the Mountaineers.
Born in London, England, Brooks lived in the Bronx, N.Y. and later became a high school standout at Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va.
“My heart breaks to share this news, Chris Brooks has passed away,” tweeted Eugene Napoleon, a former WVU running back who played at the school at the same time Brooks did. “I’m sending heartfelt condolences to his entire family, friends, and to Mountaineer Nation.”
Due to not qualifying academically, Brooks had to sit out his first season at WVU. He went on to earn his degree, which granted him his fourth season of eligibility at the school.
Playing for head coach Gale Catlett, Brooks averaged 13.7 points and 6.2 rebounds over 121 career games and was a key starter for the 1988-89 team that finished 26-5 and fell to ninth-ranked Duke in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
WVU was 77-45 overall during Brooks’ four seasons. He was named first-team all-Atlantic 10 as a senior, when he averaged 16.7 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.
Listed at just 6-foot-6, Brooks is the school’s all-time leader in field-goal percentage. He made 60.2% of his career 1,147 shots. As a senior, he set the school record for shooting percentage in a season, making 66.3% of his attempts.
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