Mack Coleman

Mack Coleman (July 18, 1952 – June 12, 1977) was an American professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the Houston Baptist Huskies and was selected in the 1975 NBA draft by the New Orleans Jazz. Coleman played professionally in France during the 1976–77 season. He died from a double coronary occlusion in a Houston jail after he had been arrested on an intoxication charge.

Early life Coleman was raised in Flora, Mississippi, as the younger brother of E.C. Coleman. He did not play basketball in high school; E.C. claimed that it was because of a feud with the team's coach.

College career After spending a season at Utica Junior College in Utica, Mississippi, Coleman played with E.C. — now the star player for the Houston Baptist Huskies — in a gym at the Houston Baptist University campus and caught the eye of the team's coaches. He transferred to Houston Baptist as a sophomore in 1972 where he was partnered with E.C. for his senior season. Coleman played for the Huskies from 1972 to 1975. He almost missed his senior season because of eligibility problems but managed to improve his academics.

Professional career Coleman was selected in the 1975 NBA draft by the New Orleans Jazz where his brother played. Coleman attended rookie tryout camp with the Jazz in July, and signed in September but never played in a game for them. He was arrested on a charge of public intoxication. Two hours later, at 1:30 a.m. the following morning, Harris County medical examiners listed Coleman's cause of death as a double coronary occlusion from an enlarged heart and extensive arteriosclerosis. The medical examiner concluded that Coleman was not drunk and was instead likely experiencing an anoxic spell caused by his heart disease. Coleman's conditions were hereditary and his brother was advised to see a doctor.