Murray Wier
Former Iowa basketball star Murray Wier died at the age of 89 at his home in Georgetown, Texas.
Wier was a four-year starter for the Hawkeyes from 1945-48. He led Iowa to a Big Ten title in 1945 and as a senior in 1948 became the school’s first ever consensus first-team All-American by averaging 21 points per game.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the Wier family,” said UI head coach Fran McCaffery. Murray was one of the all-time greats, blazing the trail for Iowa basketball. Murray won a Big Ten championship, and led the NCAA in scoring, and becoming the program’s first first-team All-American. He will be missed by everyone in the Iowa basketball family.”
After a successful collegiate career, Wier was selected in the 1948 Basketball Association of America Draft by the Ft. Wayne Pistons and began his professional career with the Tri-Cities Blackhawks. Wier played for Hall of Fame coach Red Auerbach in his second season with the Blackhawks. After three seasons with the Blackhawks, Wier played his final year of professional basketball with the Waterloo Hawks of the National Professional Basketball League.