Former Gators star Dwayne Schintzius dies at 43; made return to O-Dome in 2011
Monday, April 16, 2012 | Men's Basketball, Football, Scott Carter
There's some sad news out of Tampa this evening.
Former Gators center Dwayne Schintzius, who led Florida to its first three NCAA Tournaments, has died.
Schintzius passed away on Sunday afternoon from respiratory failure according to The Tampa Tribune.
Schintzius had battled cancer for the last three years and recently developed complications after undergoing a second bone marrow transplant, his younger brother Kevin told the Tribune.
Before Joakim Noah arrived in 2004 and turned into Florida's most famous 7-footer with attitude, there was Schintzius.
A colorful 7-foot-2 center with a mullet haircut known as "The Lobster," Schintzius usually said what was on his mind regardless of the consequence.
Schintzius starred for the Gators from 1986-90, finishing with 1,624 career points.
He is the only player in SEC history with at least 1,000 points, 800 rebounds, 250 assists and 250 blocks.
His career at Florida ended prematurely during his senior season in 1989-90 when he butted heads with then-coach Don DeVoe in part because DeVoe wanted Schintzius to get a haircut.
He was a first-round draft pick by the San Antonio Spurs in 1990 and spent nine seasons in the NBA.
Schintzius stayed away from the UF basketball program for more than two decades until attending the Florida-Georgia game in February 2011.
Schintzius was introduced to the O'Connell Center crowd in the first half and received a nice ovation. He was hesitant to return to UF over the years after his off-the-court issues ended his career.
“I did come back for a football game, when they brought us back once, but never for a basketball game since the time I played,'' he said almost 14 months ago. "Wasn't sure if I felt right about it or [if] people would want me back. I do like coming back and I want to come back again.''
Schintzius was 43.
