Former Iowa top recruit dies from cancer

From Iowa Sports Information:

IOWA CITY – Former University of Iowa basketball player James Speed has passed away at the age of 61. Speed was living in Las Vegas, Nev., and died Wednesday of complications from liver cancer.

Speed and his wife of 36 years, Sylvia, have lived in Las Vegas for the past 36 years. He is survived by his wife, son and daughter and three step-children. Services are pending.

Speed was a prized Hawkeye recruit in 1970, when he tragically lost his sight before he ever played a game for Iowa. He was a 6-7 forward who played junior college basketball at Imperial Valley Junior College in El Centro, Cal. He signed with Iowa despite offers from over 85 other schools. He was raised and attended Valencia High School in Shreveport, La.

Speed came to Iowa to play for Coach Dick Schultz. Joining him in that heralded recruiting class were Neil Fegebank and Jimmy Collins.

A sinus infection led to his losing sight in both eyes. He went on to overcome his blindness by working as a basketball coach, basketball announcer on the radio and most recently in real estate.