Cozell McQueen, a member of North Carolina State’s 1983 NCAA men’s basketball championship team, has died at the age of 64. NC State men’s basketball announced the news on Wednesday evening.
McQueen played for the Wolfpack from 1981 to 1985 under coach Jim Valvano. As a 6 foot 11 sophomore center in the 1982-83 season, he appeared in all 36 games. He averaged 3.5 points and 5.6 rebounds that year. Over his full college career, he averaged 5.3 points and 6 rebounds per game.
In the 1983 NCAA Tournament, McQueen made key contributions. He hit an off-balance shot with eight seconds left against Pepperdine in the first round to force a second overtime. NC State won that game 69-67. In the national semifinal against Georgia, he recorded a career high 13 rebounds and 8 points. In the championship game against Houston, he posted 12 rebounds and 4 points while helping defend Hakeem Olajuwon. After the victory, McQueen climbed onto the rim in celebration.
The Milwaukee Bucks selected McQueen in the fourth round of the 1985 NBA Draft with the 91st overall pick. He later appeared in three games for the Detroit Pistons during the 1986-87 season, averaging 2.0 points and 2.7 rebounds. Most of his professional career took place in the Continental Basketball Association and in Europe, including teams in France, Italy, and Spain. He retired in 1996.
McQueen was inducted into the NC State Hall of Fame as part of the 1983 championship team in 2019. He was born on January 18, 1962, in Paris, France, and grew up in Bennettsville, South Carolina.
NC State said in a statement: “We are saddened by the passing of Cozell McQueen, who proudly wore the Red and White from 1981-85 and was a member of our unforgettable 1983 National Championship team. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, teammates and all who knew him.”
The cause of death has not been publicly detailed. McQueen had previously recovered from surgery to remove a brain tumor.
