Doug Collins, Veronica Escobar, Joe Golding react to death of basketball coach Jim Forbes
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Jim Forbes, one of El Paso’s greatest basketball ambassadors, died Friday morning after a several-week stay in an El Paso hospital due to health issues.
"He was a mentor, a father-type figure," former assistant coach Rodney Lewis said. "He believed in me in basketball and in life. He had a great impact on people's lives and he enjoyed helping others. I got to know all of Jim Forbes in terms of basketball and life. He was always teaching and I learned so much from him."
Forbes, 69, graduated from Bel Air in 1970 and was named a High School All-American. He went on to play at UTEP, in the 1971 Pan American Games and the 1972 Olympics for the United States. At the Olympics, the United States lost the gold medal game to the Soviet Union in one of the most controversial finishes in Olympics history.
He won his 600th game in 2017 and earlier this season won his 700th game. Bel Air retired his No. 50 jersey and Riverside named the gym after him. Forbes was inducted into the UTEP Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011.
Subscriber exclusive: Jim Forbes represented the best of humanity: Chavez column
Basketball coach Jim Forbes dies
Coach Jim Forbes has passed this morning. RIP to a great. Condolences to family and friends, his team and the Andress, Riverside and UTEP communities.
— Felix Chavez (@Fchavezeptimes) January 21, 2022
REST IN PEACE COACH!
Thank you very much for EVERYTHING you have done for my family and I. You are a True Legend in every way. You will be missed.
I love you Coach. pic.twitter.com/Uwfw7NEehL— Coach R. Lewis (@coachlewis40) January 21, 2022
Doug Collins remembers coach Forbes
"He wanted the team success to be far greater than his own individual success and because of that a lot of success came his way." - Former NBA player/coach/broadcaster Doug Collins earlier today on his 1972 Team USA Olympics teammate, Jim Forbes. pic.twitter.com/b2NUHerrOH
— Colin Deaver (@ColinDeaverTV) January 21, 2022
Veronica Escobar: Sending my sincerest condolences
Sending my sincerest condolences to the family, friends, colleagues and mentees of El Paso’s Coach Jim Forbes.
May his loved ones find comfort in his legacy. https://t.co/UwlDp3R3Fx— Veronica Escobar (@vgescobar) January 21, 2022
UTEP basketball coach Joe Golding shares story about Forbes
UTEP head coach Joe Golding joined @UTEPMinerVoice last night after the game and shared this story about meeting Jim Forbes. @600espnelpaso @CoachJoeGolding@UTEPMBB pic.twitter.com/LFjpSnQAmP
— Adrian Broaddus (@AdrianBroaddus) January 21, 2022
El Paso community remembers coach Forbes
Jim Forbes has passed. Condolences to family and friends. #loyalforever @UTEPMBB @AHSGoldenEagles @RangerBBall @BelAirHoops pic.twitter.com/6YUTnRz49c
— Bel Air HS (@BelAirHigh) January 21, 2022
Really sad news today of the passing of a dear friend Jim Forbes. He was a UTEP great, but was an even better man. I was truly Blessed to get to know him and he really treated me great during my time in El, Paso. I will miss you my friend. RIP Coach.
— Rodney Terry (@RodneyTerry) January 21, 2022
RIP Jim Forbes. A great basketball player, coach, and human being. Say hi to The Bear for me. pic.twitter.com/HkrdUGHW80
— Steve Kaplowitz (@stevekaplowitz) January 21, 2022
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Jim Forbes remembered by Veronica Escobar, Doug Collins, Joe Golding