Lynn Howden

A Truly Fine and Kind Gentleman and Wonderful Family Man, Lynn Howden a center on the Texas basketball team in the early 1970s, suffered a massive heart attack during an extended stay in an Austin hospital for a broken hip and died Tuesday night.

AUSTIN, Texas — Howden played center for the UT basketball team from 1970 to 1972 and was one of the program's premier rebounders. He still holds the single-game record with 24 rebounds against Florida State on Dec. 1, 1970, according to UT. Texas greats Larry Robinson and Kevin Durant each had a game with 23 rebounds to rank second behind him. Lynn averaged 11 rebounds per game in that 1970 season, marking the fourth-highest average in program history for a single season.

Howden helped the Longhorns to a 19-9 record in his senior season in 1971-72 and advanced to the Round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament, according to UT Athletics. 

jimmy Blacklock.jpg

Former point guard Jimmy Blacklock, Texas’ first Black basketball letterman and a long-time Harlem Globetrotters player and coach, told the American-Statesman recently that he and Howden were the closest of friends during their time at the school.

Blacklock was the only black player on the team in the fall of 1970-1971. He said he had few friends during his time on campus but said Howden befriended him as did head coach Leon Black, who “treated me just like he’d treat a son.” Both players were products of Houston high schools.

“Lynn was such a genuine guy. A real straight shooter,” Blacklock said of Howden. “Lynn and I worked at a grocery supply store in Houston, and he and I just bonded. We just hit it off. With him, I had someone I could talk to.



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