TRIBUTES TO GENTLE GIANT
Tributes after sudden death of Scotland’s pioneer in NBA
TRIBUTES were paid last night to Robert Archibald after the only Scot to ever feature in the NBA died at the age of 39. The Paisley-born centre, who had been living near Chicago, hit the heights of the sport in both North America and Europe before setting up an insurance business when he retired following the London 2012 Olympics.
His father Bobby, who also represented Great Britain, confirmed his son had been found dead at home on Thursday.
‘We were so proud of him,’ he said. ‘He pushed personal envelopes for his sport by making it to the NBA with his dedication to his craft.
‘We’ve had so many messages from old team-mates about him since he died. Pau Gasol reached out. Old team-mates from Dunfermline and elsewhere. He touched a lot of people in his life. Unfortunately, he went through a tough patch over the last few years and now he’s gone. And his whole family are just devastated.’
Archibald began his career with Dunfermline Reign but emerged as a towering presence following a move to the USA in his teens. His stellar play during a four-year scholarship at the University of Illinois courted the attention of the NBA and he was chosen by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2002.
Standing 6ft 10in, he took it in his king-sized stride. ‘I think maybe growing up back home helped me in dealing with it because I am able to see the hype for what it is,’ said Archibald. ‘I understand that there are a lot of other things going on besides basketball.’
His spell in the NBA was marked by short stints at different clubs including Toronto Raptors, Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic. He played 44 games in total in the NBA. He briefly became a cult hero in Canada, forming a part of the Banger Brothers with Raptors team-mate Lonny Baxter, who were beloved for their physical approach.
However he enjoyed greater success in Europe, most notably in Spain where he won the EuroCup with Joventut Badalona and in Ukraine where he was the Most Valuable Player in a championship run with Mariupol.
On the international stage, he picked up 46 caps for GB, featuring at two EuroBasket finals before his farewell to the sport at the Olympics. For several years since, he had been running his own business in Illinois.
‘He was and always will be my basketball hero,’ said his fellow Scot on that Olympic team, Kieron Achara. ‘He helped me throughout all the stages of my career and did everything he could to guide me. I’m proud to have shared a court with him and proud of everything he achieved.’
Basketball Scotland chief executive Kevin Pringle added: ‘He was a wonderful man and a great friend, as well as being a trailblazer and an inspiration. We will miss him.’ Archibald leaves a son, Robert Jr.