Kevin McLinton, a former star basketball player for Maryland, passed away on Thursday. McLinton was only 52 years old. He was a dependable and charismatic point guard for Maryland in the early years of Gary Williams’ career.
After coming from Ohio State, McLinton was a vital part of Williams’ rebuilding phase, keeping the team viable as it emerged from the shadow of NCAA sanctions and returned to national prominence. As a senior in 1992–1993, he averaged 15.8 points, 6.3 assists, and 1.6 steals. With 5.2 assists per game and 1.5 steals per game, he currently holds the fourth position on the school’s career chart.
“I placed my hat there. Being able to stop incredibly talented players and score when necessary made me proud.
McLinton, who was working in sales and as a local basketball trainer, has a son and a daughter. His son, K.J. McLinton, is a promising young player whose AAU team the elder McLinton was coaching.
Kevin McLinton had posted a photo of himself in a hospital bed on social on Wednesday.
A Silver Spring native who led Springbrook High to a state championship in 1988 — upsetting a Crossland team featuring his future teammate, Maryland and NBA star Williams — he was also a highly recruited high school football player. His father, Harold McLinton, was a standout player for the Redskins who passed away in 1980. His younger brother, Darren McLinton, also starred at Springbrook before playing for Maryland coaching legend Lefty Driesell at Darren McLinton is also a trainer, with a client list including former Maryland point guard and incoming guard Rodney Erice.
