‘The old Pete Maravich is dead and buried’

On this day in 1988: Basketball legend “Pistol Pete” Maravich, who played at Broughton High School in Raleigh when his father was coaching at N.C. State, dies from cardiac arrest during a pickup game in Pasadena, Calif. He is 40 years old.

Less than a year earlier, Maravich spoke in Charlotte about his recent conversion to Christianity:

“My valley was the bar, it was alcohol, it was women. I had that external glow of happiness, but inside I was so empty. I wouldn’t trade where I am right now for 1,000 NBA championship rings.

“If people just see a basketball player when they look at me, forget it, my life is nothing. The old Pete Maravich is dead and buried.”