I’m forgotten March Madness legend who led school on Cinderella run after tragic death of teammate – now I’m a business consultant

The story of Bo Kimble is one of tragedy and triumph.

Much like March Madness and the NCAA Tournament.

Legends are made this time of the year.

Heroes are born in the tournament.

Folklore is written in March.

And for a school sandwiched between the robust campuses of UCLA and USC, tucked away on the side of the 405-freeway, the entire sports world stood still for Loyola Marymount University on March 4th, 1990 as one story began while another came to a tragic end.

That is the day that Kimble's teammate, Hank Gathers, collapsed on the court during LMU's semifinal game in the WCC tournament against Portland.

Less than two hours after Gathers collapsed, the 23-year-old was pronounced dead.

Gathers' death was a result of cardiac arrest.

His heart stopped, and so did all of America's.

"I lost a friend, teammate and brother, but the world lost an extraordinary human being and a kind spirit," Kimble wrote in in March of 2015.

"Unexpectedly. Abruptly. Too soon.

"My weakest moment was that first practice after Hank died. We were co-captains, so we would always start practice. When the first whistle blew, Hank and I would jog around the perimeter of the gym and the team followed.

"At that first practice, we did our jog and Hank wasn’t there. That was the first time it hit me like a ton of bricks that he was gone and he wasn’t coming back.

"What I needed to do was to go outside, cry and let everything I was feeling pour out. But I couldn’t do that.

"I believed the rest of the guys were feeding off my strength because whatever pain they were feeling, they knew my pain was greater because I had known Hank for so long."

Kimble would lead the LMU Lions into the NCAA Tournament, with Gathers on everyone's mind.

The little school cast in the shadow right next to LAX, advanced all the way to the Elite Eight that year.

Kimble led LMU to wins over New Mexico State, Michigan and Alabama before losing to UNLV, one game short of the Final Four.

Over the course of LMU's Cinderella run, Kimble honored Gathers by shooting the first free throw of every pair, left-handed.

"I told everybody in interviews the day before the tournament — including CBS, who was broadcasting our game — that I was going to honor Hank by shooting the first free throw of every game I played in that tournament left-handed," Kimble wrote.

"It didn’t matter if I made it or missed it. That’s how I was going to honor my buddy, and say I love you and I miss you."

Kimble went on to be drafted with the eight overall pick in the NBA draft by the Los Angeles Clippers, but only played three seasons.

He has since gone on to become a high school basketball coach, and business consultant, helping businesses and individuals acquire private asset lending capital through real estate ventures.

Kimble's No. 30 and Gathers' No. 44 jerseys were both retired by LMU and now hang proudly in the rafters.

Kimble's story is forever intertwined with that of Gathers'.

While Gather's story was the tragedy that never saw the triumph.

Kimble's was the triumph that persevered through the tragedy.