Richard " Gene" Neal

Richard "Gene" Neal, a basketball legend who grew up in the Detroit, Highland Park community. Gene's passion for the game was ignited by his older brother, who, alongside basketball icon George "Ice Man" Gervin, taught him the art of basketball. To ensure Gene stayed away from the influence of gangs, his single mother made the selfless decision to send him to Albion to live with relatives during the school year.

Gene's talent flourished in Albion, and he became a revered star player, leaving an indelible mark on the community. His exceptional skills caught the attention of legendary coaches like Jerry Tarkanian and Jonny Orr, who recruited him nationally.

Gene's basketball journey reached unprecedented levels of success during his time at Oakland Community College, culminating in his induction into the prestigious Hall of Fame. Renowned for his remarkable triple-double statistics, he established himself as a formidable presence on the basketball court. Subsequently, Gene made a seamless transition to Northern Michigan University, where he further showcased his exceptional skills, surpassing prominent figures like William Eddie, Tom Izzo, Dewayne Jones, and Mike Garland. In addition to his accomplishments at Oakland Community College and Northern Michigan University, Gene's basketball odyssey encompasses his notable involvement as a St. Cecilia Legendary player in the esteemed Detroit Summer League. Nevertheless, following his college years, he made a decision to dedicate himself to his faith and consequently took a 20-year break from the sport. Throughout this period, he embarked on a fruitful professional journey with the US Post Office, steadily progressing from a mail carrier to the esteemed position of Post Master General.

Gene felt called to return to basketball, not as a coach but as a mentor. He aimed to guide and inspire young players to reach elite professional levels while emphasizing the importance of education, good citizenship, and positive family and community involvement. Using Oakland Community College as his base, Gene coached and mentored players from 1985 to 2015, even leading OCC to a National Championship in 1987 under the guidance of Hall of Fame Coach Lynn Reed. His impact extended far beyond the college, as he selflessly invested in the growth and development of players like Gary Holt, Derrick Williams, Greg Davis, Toine Murphy, Terrence Bell, Starlin Stevens, Troy Coleman, Mark Macon, Paris McCurdy, Willie Sims, Chris Webber, Fred Cofield, Joe Crawford, Mark White, Jordan Crawford, Terry Duerod, and Derrick Gervin, among others.

Gene's dedication and influence were widely recognized and respected by local coaches such as Perry Watson, Benny White, and Tom Izzo, cementing his status as a revered figure in the basketball community.

Richard "Gene" Neal's incredible journey embodies the transformative power of basketball and mentorship. His unwavering commitment to guiding young players toward success and character development has left an indelible legacy in the sport and beyond.

REST IN PEACE Coach Gene! Love the Basketball Community

Official obituary to follow;