Eddie Griffin

Like everyone else, I had read about his troubles and hoped he'd deal with them more successfully as he grew older. But it really hit hard last night, especially hearing his age, 25 years young. He was a pleasure to watch on the court...so fluid. And you had to love that smile! I guess as Coaches, this really underscores even more so, that we can't try hard enough to keep these kids on the straight and narrow, as much as we possibly can. This is very sad. My heart goes out to his family.

My Dad and I went to the McDonald's All Star Basketball Game in Boston in 2000. Eddie was playing and was kind enough to explain the event to me and show me around, as well as pose for pictures with me. Not to mention, he answered the dumb questions that I asked! He was a truly nice guy, and he didn't seem at all impressed by the fame he was getting. He seemed to truly love the game. My prayers go out to family and friends.

Eddie Griffin will always be the face of Roman Basketball, and one of the most known names in the Catholic league history! He will be missed! RIP kid!

my name is jim wright and i used to coach eddie when he was around 10-11 and still kept in contact with him. i also attended the draft with him and john huggins. i am deeply saddened to hear that has passed away. i am going to miss him. i knew him and loved him before he became eddie griffin superstar basketball player. my thoughts and prayers go out to his mom, brother jacques and his daughter whom he loved so much.

Tribute to Eddie Griffin Eddie Griffin Tribute Page Daily News photo by Steve Falk. Return to TedSilary.com Homepage Eddie Griffin , widely considered the nation's No. 1 basketball player in 2000 while playing for Roman Catholic High, as well as one of the top five in Philly history, died August 17, 2007, in Houston, Texas, of injuries suffered in a car crash. The "reason" for the crash, in which Eddie's car plowed through a crossing barrier into a passing freight train, is undetermined. Most know about the personal problems Eddie experienced during his six-year NBA career, and those who knew him "when" were particularly saddened by the distressing twists and turns in his life. We welcome your comments about Eddie, and they'll be posted below. Please email them to silaryt@phillynews.com . Thank you. Below the comments is a story about the meeting between Roman/Eddie and Camden/ Dajuan Wagner (though Wagner, a guard, was just coming off an injury) in the '00 season. Note from one of Eddie's cousins . . . I thank all of you who have showed support and are keeping our family in your prayers. Eddie wasn't a bad person, he was just fighting demons inside from when his older brother Marvin died. If I could ask all of you to do something for me, it's to just remember the good basketball player he was, and the TRUE person that all his friends and family knew . . . Thank you,| The Family Contributions . . . Couldn't believe it. Even with all the craziness that happened, I still think he was one of the nicest kids I have ever met. A great teammate.