JOHNSTOWN — Monday, April 6, marks 50 years since the passing of basketball standout Maurice Stokes.

He is one of the best basketball players to ever go through the St. Francis program. Stokes holds the Red Flash record for most rebounds in a career. He is credited with 1,819 rebounds, but surely recorded more than that amount. Rebounds didn't become an official statistic until Stokes' sophomore season of college. And, he is the program's second all-time leading scorer with 2,282 points.

Stokes wrapped up his collegiate career with a heroic performance in the 1955 National Invitational Tournament. He led St. Francis to its first ever semifinal appearance. But, the Red Flash lost to Dayton, 79-73, in overtime. Stokes scored a career-high 43 points in the game. In the last game of his career, Stokes scored 31 points against Cincinnati, in a third-place contest. The Red Flash fell 96-91. St. Francis finished fourth in the 1955 NIT. Stokes' number 26 is retired at St. Francis.

The Rochester Royals selected Stokes with the second overall pick in the 1955 NBA Draft. He continued to play at a high level in the pro ranks. Stokes won the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 1956. Then, he led the NBA in rebounding, during the 1957 season. Stokes is a three-time NBA all-star (1956-'58).

But, Stokes' life changed during the 1958 season. He injured his head in a game. Three days later, Stokes collapsed on the Royals' team plane. Doctors diagnosed Stokes with encephalopathy. It's a brain disease.

The brain disease forced Stokes to remain hospitalized for the remainder of his life. Maurice Stokes passed away on April 6, 1970.

In September of 2004, Stokes became a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

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