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One of the behind the scenes heroes of New Zealand basketball's most successful campaign has died.
Waikato Pistons coach Murray McMahon died yesterday morning after suffering a heart attack last Thursday while playing basketball. He was 64.
Basketball New Zealand CEO Dale Stephens said it was ironic McMahon, who led the Pistons to the national title last month and played his last game of representative basketball aged 52, was struck down playing the sport that had kept him healthy his entire life.
"But he died doing the thing he loved doing."
He said the unassuming and modest McMahon was pivotal in the Tall Blacks' World Championship campaign in the US in 2002 where he helped the team to an unprecedented fourth placing as a video analyst.
"He was one of the team's unsung heroes, just phenomenal."
"But he was the kind of person who would do anything for the team, he'd sweep the gym if you asked him to."
The Tall Blacks, many of whom McMahon coached over the years, were to wear black armbands as a mark of respect during their match against Puerto Rico in Slovenia earlier this morning.
Waikato Pistons spokesman John Davey said the grassroots level would suffer with McMahon's passing.
"Certainly from a Waikato basketball point of view, we don't have anyone else like him involved in the sport."
Former Waikato Titans coach, Jeff Green, said McMahon, who was then not part of the coaching staff, would sit in the crowd and write notes on the team's performance and give them to Green during the Titans' 2001 and 2002 campaigns.
"Every halftime, without fail, he would come down with his page of notes and his analysis would always be spot on."
Mr McMahon received a lifetime achievement award at Basketball New Zealand's annual general meeting last month.
He is survived by his wife, Anita, sons Dean and Aaron, and five grandchildren. His funeral is to be held in Hamilton on Friday.
