x
Breaking News
More () »

Basketball coaching great & Granby alum "Lefty" Driesell honored with a court in his name

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall Of Famer ranks 14th all-time in career NCAA coaching wins with 786 in 41 seasons.

NORFOLK, Va. — College coaching great, Charles "Lefty" Driesell would be the first to tell you that Granby High School has always been at his core through his childhood. The Norfolk native, who would go on to great things including being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall Of Fame got one additional honor on Tuesday night.

Before the Comets game with Lake Taylor, the school officially named the basketball court after him. After he left Duke University in the 1950's, he came back to coach at Granby for two years. It's at the center of who he is.

"Granby means a great deal to me", he said. "I met my wife (Joyce) here. We were married for 72 years." 

Driesell, who turned 91 on Christmas Day, currently ranks 14th all-time in career NCAA coaching wins with 786 in 41 seasons with stops at Davidson, Maryland, Georgia State and James Madison. 

He says he learned plenty about the game while growing up in Norfolk. 

"I learned how to coach from here", he said. "Dean Smith learned how to coach from Frank McGuire. Mike Krzyzewski learned how to coach from Bobby Knight. I learned to coach from Donald Griffin and Bill Story."

He'll now be immortalized on a court and at school where it all started. As for the game, Lake Taylor spoiled the night for Granby. Elijah Washington led the Titans with 14 points, 12 rebounds and 7 blocks as they won over the Comets 73-28.

Before You Leave, Check This Out