Jacksonville State University Athletics

Howard “Mouse” Waldrep stood only 6’ 3”, but he did not take a back seat to any one on the basketball floor.  Waldrep, who twice led the Gamecocks in scoring, was deadly once his bear-sized hands came in contact with the ball around the goal.  The owner of  an impossible-to-block hook shot that hit more often than not. Waldrep rang up 22.6 points as a junior and 17.9 points his senior season.  He was even deadlier from the free throw line, setting a school record for accuracy.  He shot .903 from the charity line in 1953-54, a mark that remains on the book today.  In addition to his famed hook shot and incredible free throw accuracy, Waldrep, a member of the 1952-53 Gamecock team that defeated Alabama’s “Rocket Eight” team which went on to win the Southeastern Conference title, coached 12 years before moving into administration. He graduated form Anniston High School in Anniston, Alabama.