Click here for his complete obituary.
Known as the "Reckless Russian," a nickname given to him by USC's broadcaster at the time, Chick Hearn, Rudometkin played bigger than his 6-6 height. An All-American first teamer in 1961 and 1962, he set USC career records in points (1,484; the mark stood for 23 years), scoring average (18.8) and rebounding (831). He still stands seventh on the school's scoring chart and fourth on the rebounding list.
Rudometkin was inducted into the USC Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001 and his No. 44 jersey was retired in 2010. He played three seasons in the NBA, but his basketball career was cut short by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in his chest near his heart and lungs, which he courageously overcame after a trying battle.
A memorial service will be held on Aug. 16 at 1 p.m. at Auburn Seventh-day Adventist Church, 12225 Rock Creek Rd., Auburn, Calif., 95602. In lieu of flowers, his family requests donations in Rudometkin's name to World Vision.
