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Fred Slaughter, who led UCLA to first NCAA hoops title, dies at 74

Former UCLA basketball star Fred Slaughter (35), who helped legendary coach John Wooden to the first of his 10 NCAA titles, has died. No cause of death was given. Slaughter was 74. (Larry Stoddard / AP)
Former UCLA basketball star Fred Slaughter (35), who helped legendary coach John Wooden to the first of his 10 NCAA titles, has died. No cause of death was given. Slaughter was 74. (Larry Stoddard / AP)

LOS ANGELES – Fred Slaughter, who helped UCLA win its first NCAA basketball championship as a senior under coach John Wooden in 1964, has died. He was 74.

The school announced Saturday that Slaughter died Oct. 6 at his home in Santa Monica. No cause of death was given.

He was the Bruins’ starting center from 1962-64. They were 30-0 in 1963-64, the school’s first undefeated season that culminated in the first of Wooden’s record 10 NCAA titles. Slaughter averaged 7.9 points and 8.1 rebounds that season.

Joining Slaughter in the starting five were guards Walt Hazzard and Gail Goodrich and forwards Keith Erickson and Jack Hirsch. The lineup ranged from 6-foot-1 to 6-5 and Wooden employed a 2-2-1 zone defense known as the “Bruin Blitz.”

As a sophomore, Slaughter helped the Bruins to their first Final Four. The following year, the Bruins lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Slaughter also competed as a freshman on UCLA’s track team in the 100- and 220-yard dashes, high jump, shot put and discus.

He served as the school’s senior class president in 1963-64 and earned a degree in business administration. He went on to earn an MBA degree at UCLA and a law degree from Columbia.

Slaughter became a professional sports agent and attorney in 1969. He served as assistant dean at the UCLA School of Law from 1972-80 and also taught law and business classes.

In 1980, he returned full-time to being a sports agent and attorney, representing NBA and NFL players, including NBA Hall of Famers Clyde Drexler, Dennis Johnson and Jamaal Wilkes. Slaughter also served as leader of the NBA referees’ union.

Born March 13, 1942, in Topeka, Kansas, Slaughter competed in basketball, track and field and football at Topeka High. He was a first-team all-state basketball selection in 1958. In 1959, he won the state title in the 100-yard dash.

He is survived by Kay, his wife of 46 years; daughter Hilary and son Fred, an Orange County Superior Court judge; and three grandchildren.