The Tragic Night That Changed Bobby Hurley's Life

By Justin Rubin June 07, 2024 09:33

Photo by Getty Images

The night of Dec. 12, 1993, would be one of tragedy for NBA rookie Bobby Hurley, changing the landscape of his career and a lasting impact on his basketball journey.

That shocking night set his life on a trajectory, a career, and a level of resiliency unmeasurable in terms of living or dying.

The Tragedy Unfolds

He was a 22-year-old rookie point guard playing for the Sacramento Kings, completing his 19th game in the NBA when tragedy struck.

In a following car accident after playing a game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Hurley's car was hit on the side by a local house painter driving without headlights, which left him with life-threatening injuries as collapsed lungs, broken ribs, a severed trachea, a fractured shoulder blade, and some other severe injuries.

He was so seriously injured that doctors warned his parents he might not make it through the night and his condition was bordering on miraculous recovery.

What ultimately happened though watched many eyes, despite the odds, was a remarkable comeback to the NBA, epitomized by the unbreakable will of Hurley.

Amazing Heal and Retrieve

After months of rehab and inspiring acts of bravery Bobby Hurley defied all odds and did just that, returning to the NBA not even a year after the near-fatal car crash.

His on-court comeback was a greeting of respect and trepidation from teammates and coaches who could see he was no longer the same man.

Unfortunately, despite his best efforts, Hurley would never return to his previously dominant ways due to lingering physical issues as well as a significant dip in performance.

Once he did return to the sport, he was not the same player, with his waning power and mobility carrying the reverberations of the tragic accident over into his professional career.

The Lingering Impact

Bobby Hurley would spend the rest of his playing career haunted by the consequences of his car wreck. There were aches and pains, a bad shoulder, and he was never more acutely aware of the day his life had changed.

Its long-term consequences would remain a painful part of his life, his professional and his personal journey.

The Unfulfilled Potential

Even had the accident never happened, there are questions as to how Hurley's career would have unfolded had he not been hurt and, certainly, it's tragically clear that the accident changed the narrative for him.

Though his determination allowed him to return, the consequences of the accident on his physical capabilities and his driving abilities are apparent.

The Legacy of Resilience

Bobby Hurley fought through challenges, hardship, and ruin, and his story is a tribute to the strength of human will.

It's the story of how he beat insurmountable odds and rose as a successful basketball player to later become a successful coach and his journey is a testament to how his never say die attitude and indomitable spirit.

Bobby Hurley was the can't-miss prospect that did and the undisputed best point guard in college basketball at the time of the tragic events of December 12, 1993 that forever changed the course of his life and career.

His untold story of courage and perseverance in the midst of tragedy is a real-life Slumdog Millionaire that will not soon be forgotten, becoming a lasting legacy that will far outlive his time on the hardwood.