Former Gators guard Tom Baxley, who died last week, is remembered by former teammate Bill Koss. (File photo)
Three-Time Letterwinner Tom Baxley Dies
Wednesday, March 8, 2017 | Men's Basketball
Tom Baxley died last week. Tom was a great teammate of ours in the early '60s. Tom was the most celebrated player to ever sign with the Gators when he transferred to Florida from Maryland. He grew up in Miami and held every Miami-area scoring record in high school.
He played for North Miami High School when it won the Class AA state championship in 1960. Tom scored 57 points in a tournament game against Clearwater back then. He had nicknames of "Buckshot Baxley" and "Tom the Bomb." He was 5-foot-10 but quick as a cat and had a range that was similar to the likes of KeVaughn Allen and Malik Monk. If there had been a 3-point line he would have scored incredible numbers.
In his first game as a Gator, Tom scored 32 against Rick Barry and Miami in the old convention center and Florida ended up losing the game after Tom fouled out in overtime. He scored 407 points in his sophomore season, which at the time was the most ever for a player in his first season of varsity eligibility (back then freshmen were not eligible for varsity competition). At the time, his 407 points placed him sixth all-time at UF for points scored in one season.
He finished his career scoring 900 points. He was also the consummate team player, passing out numerous assists and was captain of the team his senior year. After graduation, Tom earned a Ph.D. and taught for more than 30 years at Florida Atlantic University.
Tom was also an outstanding handball player and was known to have been the best handball player in the state of Florida at different times through the years.
He played for North Miami High School when it won the Class AA state championship in 1960. Tom scored 57 points in a tournament game against Clearwater back then. He had nicknames of "Buckshot Baxley" and "Tom the Bomb." He was 5-foot-10 but quick as a cat and had a range that was similar to the likes of KeVaughn Allen and Malik Monk. If there had been a 3-point line he would have scored incredible numbers.
In his first game as a Gator, Tom scored 32 against Rick Barry and Miami in the old convention center and Florida ended up losing the game after Tom fouled out in overtime. He scored 407 points in his sophomore season, which at the time was the most ever for a player in his first season of varsity eligibility (back then freshmen were not eligible for varsity competition). At the time, his 407 points placed him sixth all-time at UF for points scored in one season.
He finished his career scoring 900 points. He was also the consummate team player, passing out numerous assists and was captain of the team his senior year. After graduation, Tom earned a Ph.D. and taught for more than 30 years at Florida Atlantic University.
Tom was also an outstanding handball player and was known to have been the best handball player in the state of Florida at different times through the years.
Players Mentioned
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