Denny Bishop - Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame
Bishop going into Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame
Denny Bishop’s unbeaten high school team was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame two years ago.
The Wichitan will go on his own merits this time, as Bishop was one of 14 players in the 2009 induction class released Monday.
Bishop will be honored March 25 in Indianapolis alongside some impressive individuals. Two-time NCAA All-American Steve Alford and current NBA coaches Gregg Popovich (Spurs) and Scott Skiles (Bucks) headline the group.
The Wichita Falls realtor said the esteemed company makes the acheivment even more special.
“I’m overwhelmed with joy and anticipation to be a part of that group,” Bishop said. “As a kid growing up Indiana, it doesn’t get any better than this.”
Bishop was the point guard for unbeaten 1957 state champion South Bend Central, which at the time had only the second perfect season in the state’s history. Any undefeated high school basketball team that wins a state championship is automatically inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.
“It wasn’t only about me, it was about us,” said Bishop, noting that all five South Bend Central starters received major college scholarships. “I had some great teammates.”
After graduating in 1958, Bishop received a scholarship to the University of Houston, where he played four seasons under Guy Lewis. He also went on to officiate NCAA hoops for almost two decades.
Alford is the eighth honoree to be selected in his first year of eligibility. He played for New Castle in high school and later was a member of the 1987 national champion Indiana Hoosiers team.
Popovich, who played college basketball at the Air Force, is one of five men who have coached at least four NBA championship teams.
Skiles, who was an All-American and Big 10 Player of the Year at Michigan State, has a spot in Indiana hoops lore with a 39-point performance in Plymouth’s 75-74 double overtime upset of Gary Roosevelt in the 1982 title game.
Now Bishop will forever be linked with those greats.
“I’m humbled by this,” Bishop said. “I would deem it as the summitt of success in Indiana basketball.”
