Jim Fritsche, the number two all-time scorer in Hamline men's basketball history, passed away February 28. He was 87 years old.

Fritsche arrived on the HU campus in the fall of 1949 from St. Paul Humboldt High School. The 6-8 forward/center made an immediate impact for coach Joe Hutton and went on to score 1926 points in four seasons, just behind Hal Haskins, a  teammate who holds the school standard at 1985. The 1950-51 Piper team won the NAIA championship. Fritsche was a small college All-American in his sophomore, junior and senior seasons.

He was selected for a spot on the Row of Honor at the north end of Hutton Arena and was inducted into the Piper Athletic Hall of Fame in 1973.

Fritsche was the seventh overall pick in the 1953 NBA draft, going on to play three seasons with the Minneapolis Lakers, Baltimore Bullets and Fort Wayne Pistons, scoring 326 points and corralling 249 rebounds. 

After his playing days ended, Fritsche taught and coached cross country, basketball and baseball at St. Paul Central High School. His 1967 Central hoops team advanced to the then one class Minnesota state tournament. 

Funeral services will be March 23 at United Methodist Church (700 Wesley Lane, Mendota Heights) at 11:00 a.m. with visitation an hour before. Memorials preferred to Saint Paul's Church or Hamline University Basketball Assn or of donors choice.