Multiple reports indicate that former IU basketball player and Indiana Mr. Basketball Steve Bouchie has passed away at the age of 59.
Bouchie suffered a heart attack last week.
A native of Washington, Ind., Bouchie won the state’s Mr. Basketball award following his senior season in 1979. He averaged 27 points and 15 rebounds during the 1978-79 campaign. Bouchie helped Washington reach the semi-state round of the Indiana boys high school basketball tournament twice.
Bouchie was the first of four Mr. Basketball winners from Washington. Tyler, Luke and Cody Zeller all late won the honor while playing for the Hatchets.
A Parade All-American, Bouchie enrolled at IU in 1979 along with Isiah Thomas and was a member of the 1980, 1981 and 1983 Big Ten championship teams along with the 1981 national championship team. Bouchie is one of just four IU players to win Mr. Basketball and a national championship.
The 6-foot-8 and 234 pound Bouchie scored 564 points and corralled 354 rebounds during his four year IU career. He appeared in 110 games, starting 50 times.
IU head coach Archie Miller acknowledged Bouchie’s passing on Twitter.
Saddened to hear that 1981 National Champion Steve Bouchie passed away today. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and teammates.
— Arch Miller (@Archie_Miller) July 13, 2020
Bouchie was drafted by Detroit Pistons in 4th round of 1983 NBA draft. He played professional basketball in Torino, Italy before a hand injury ended his career. Bouchie had a career in agriculture after he finished playing basketball and he was also a school board member.
Bouchie was enshrined in the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.
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