The cause of Louis Orr’s death was revealed after he died in his bed, leaving his followers in sorrow and mourning.
His unexpected passing at the age of 64 left everyone devastated.
Former Siena men’s basketball coach and Syracuse great Louis Orr died on Thursday, December 15, 2022, after battling pancreatic cancer, according to a statement from his family released by Georgetown on Friday.
Recently, it was revealed that the basketball player and coach was ill and receiving hospice care before his demise.
Louis Orr was a former New York Knicks forward, Syracuse University star, and head coach at Seton Hall. Prior to attending Syracuse to play collegiate basketball for four seasons under Jim Boeheim, Louie was a high school basketball star in the Cincinnati region.
After his time at Cuse, Orr entered the NBA Draft and was selected by the Pacers in the second round. He spent two seasons in Indiana.
In New York, Orr resumed his professional basketball career, spending six seasons with the Knicks, where he later coached alongside teammate Patrick Ewing at Georgetown.
During his NBA career, Orr averaged approximately 10 points and four rebounds per game.
In the early 1990s, Louis began his coaching career as an assistant coach, with stints at Xavier, Providence, and his alma mater, Syracuse, under JB.
Orr was appointed as the head coach at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey, replacing Tommy Amaker, who had recently departed for Michigan after a disappointing season, following a year of coaching at Sienna in New York.
Heartfelt Messages
The basketball community mourns Orr’s passing. Former players, coaches, and teammates have all expressed their sadness over the loss of a remarkable man and a talented coach.
Statement from Seton Hall Athletics
Seton Hall management issued a statement, “The passing of Louis Orr, our former men’s basketball head coach, deeply saddens Seton Hall Athletics. Louis was an outstanding mentor, a gentleman, and a role model for young men. He made a significant impact on our department and helped our student-athletes reach their full potential in just five short years. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Louis and his wife Yvette, and we will keep him in our thoughts as he finds eternal rest. He will be greatly missed by everyone.”
Longtime Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim wrote on social media that Louis Orr was “the finest man I’ve had the privilege to know. He came into my life as my first recruit, went on to become an excellent coach and teammate, but most importantly, he grew closer to me as a friend. I will cherish the time we spent together. My heartfelt sympathies go out to his family and the Orange community as well.”
The men’s basketball team at Syracuse also released a statement mourning the loss of “an Orange legend – a player, a coach, and most importantly, an outstanding individual who uplifted everyone around him. We will always remember Louis Orr, especially every time we look up and see his No. 55 in the Dome rafters.”
