One of the most beautiful moments of the college basketball season ended in tragedy on Saturday.
Oakland guard Max Hooper’s father lost his battle with cancer, head coach Greg Kampe announced on twitter early Sunday.
All grizz fans. Chip Hooper, Max's father lost his battle with Cancer tonight. Please put the Hooper family in your payers.
— Greg Kampe (@KampeOU) March 6, 2016
Chip Hooper was as loving and down to earth father of any player I've ever had. He will be missed, I lost a friend, and Oakland lost a fan
— Greg Kampe (@KampeOU) March 6, 2016
The story of Hooper and his father went viral on Oakland’s senior night, when Chip Hooper made it from California to Michigan to watch his son play for the first time as a Grizzly. Chip has been battling cancer for four years and, in October, suffered a stroke that limited his mobility. He watched the game from a hospital bed.
“This is a very sad day for the Oakland Basketball family,” Kampe said in a statement. “Max is traveling to California to spend a day with his family. We ask that you offer your prayers to his family. Please wait to reach out to him.”
Oakland next plays on Monday night in the semifinals of the Horizon League tournament.