UCLA Basketball Great Fred Slaughter Passes Away

Fred Slaughter, a three-year starting center on the UCLA men's basketball teams from 1962-64, passed away peacefully at his Santa Monica home surrounded by family on Oct. 6 at the age of 74.
 
Slaughter played for head coach John Wooden, helping lead UCLA to its first-ever NCAA men's basketball championship as a senior in 1964. He was the Bruins' fifth-leading scorer (7.9 ppg) and second-leading rebounder (8.1 rpg) in 1963-64, helping the program to its first undefeated season (30-0) and NCAA championship.
 
Slaughter and junior forward Keith Erickson, both at 6-foot-5, were the tallest players in the starting lineup on UCLA's 1964 title-winning team. Also in the starting five were senior guard Walt Hazzard (6-foot-2), junior guard Gail Goodrich (6-foot-1) and senior forward Jack Hirsch (6-foot-3). In the Bruins' famous 2-2-1 zone defense that established the "Bruin Blitz," Slaughter and Goodrich were under the basket, Hazzard and Hirsch played behind them and Erickson was at the opposite end of the court.
 
All five starting players on the 1964 team have been inducted into UCLA's Athletic Hall of Fame, with Slaughter having been inducted in 2004. In all, nine members of that year's team have been inducted into UCLA's Athletic Hall of Fame, including teammate Kenny Washington, Coach Wooden, assistant coach Jerry Norman and trainer Elvin C. "Ducky" Drake.
 
As UCLA's starting center during his sophomore season (1961-62), Slaughter was the fifth-leading scorer (7.7 ppg) and leading rebounder (9.6 rpg). That season, UCLA earned its first-ever trip to the NCAA Final Four, capturing the AAWU league title with a 10-2 mark and posting an 18-11 overall record.
 
The following season (1962-63), Slaughter started at center and was UCLA's second-leading scorer (10.9 ppg) and top rebounder (9.7 rpg). The Bruins earned their second consecutive AAWU title with an 8-5 mark and advanced to the NCAA Tournament's first round, compiling a 20-9 overall record.
 
Slaughter earned the J.D. Morgan Award as the outstanding team player in 1963 and shared that award with Hirsch in 1964. In 1962, Slaughter and Hazzard were recipients of the team's Irv Pohlmeyer Trophy as outstanding first-year players.
 
As a true freshman at UCLA in 1960-61, Slaughter led the Brubabes to a 20-2 overall mark. He finished the year as that team's leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 18.9 points and 15.3 rebounds per game. He earned the Seymour Armond Award as the freshman team's Most Valuable Player.
 
As a varsity letterwinner, Slaughter averaged 8.8 points and 9.1 rebounds in 87 games. Following his senior season, his 791 career rebound total was second all-time at UCLA (now ranks No. 14). His career rebounding average (9.1 rpg) ranks sixth. A talented student-athlete in Westwood, Slaughter also competed as a freshman on the UCLA track and field team in the 100- and 220-yard dashes, high jump, shot put and discus.
 
Slaughter, who served as UCLA's senior class president in 1963-64, earned his undergraduate degree in business administration. He continued his education at UCLA, earning a Master of Business Administration degree and then transferred to Columbia University where he received a law degree, becoming a professional sports agent and attorney in 1969.
 
From 1972-80, Slaughter was the Assistant Dean of Admissions and Student Affairs at the UCLA School of Law. In addition, he taught classes at UCLA law school and the Anderson School of Business. In 1980, he became a full-time sports agent and attorney, representing professional basketball and football players and also served as the labor union leader for referees in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
 
In 1995, the New York Times described Slaughter as the "dean of Black sports attorneys." His many clients included Hall of Fame Basketball players such as UCLA great Jamaal Wilkes, Clyde Drexler and Dennis Johnson.
 
Slaughter was known for his incredible sense of humor, compassion, and kindness. He selflessly mentored scores of individuals, encouraging them to rise to the highest level.  
 
Born March 13, 1942, Slaughter, from Topeka, Kansas, attended Topeka High School, where he competed in basketball, track and field and football. Slaughter was a first-team All-State basketball selection in 1958. In 1959, he was the Kansas prep 100-yard dash state champion (10.0). Slaughter was heavily recruited in high school and received 104 scholarship offers. 
 
Fred Leon Slaughter is survived by his wife of 46 years, Kay, two children, Hilary S. Slaughter and Fred W. Slaughter, Fred W. Slaughter's wife, Nicole, and three grandchildren, Milla, Alina, and Dirk Slaughter. Kay earned her B.S. in nursing from UCLA and has worked as a hospital nurse for nearly 50 years. Hilary earned her history degree and teaching credential from UCLA, and has taught middle school for the Los Angeles Unified School District for over 23 years.  Fred W. Slaughter earned his undergraduate degree in business economics and law degree from UCLA, and is a Judge of the Superior Court in Orange County, Calif.