Gary L. Lumpkin (2021) - Hall of Fame - Xavier University Athletics

Gary L. Lumpkin

Induction:
2021
Class:
1999

Gary Lumpkin was a four-year starter at point guard in Xavier's first four seasons in the Atlantic 10 Conference after making the big jump from the MCC in 1995. Lumpkin still ranks in the top 20 in scoring in Xavier history with 1,507 points and is in the top 10 in assists in Xavier history with 470, which ranks ninth. XU won 83 games in his four seasons, including 70 wins over his final three seasons along with two NCAA Tournament berths and a third-place finish in the 1999 NIT.
Lumpkin, a 1995-96 Atlantic 10 Conference All-Rookie Team selection, took over the all-important point guard duties under the late Skip Prosser, one of three freshman starters on a team that faced a conference schedule with the No. 1 team in the country, UMass, and two other top 25 teams, Virginia Tech and George Washington. Lumpkin led XU to an 8-8 league record in its first season the A-10, including a near upset of then-No. 1 and undefeated UMass. XU lost that game 78-74 in overtime but sent a message that XU could compete with anyone in its new league.

Lumpkin earned 1996-97 First Team All-Atlantic 10 Conference honors as a sophomore after leading the team in assists at 4.3 apg. and finishing second in scoring to future XU Hall of Famer Lenny Brown at 14.7 ppg. Lumpkin led Xavier to a 23-6 overall record and the 1997 Atlantic 10 West Division Championship at 13-3, XU's first A-10 regular season title, and an NCAA Tournament appearance, advancing to the second round with a win over Vanderbilt. Lumpkin, who earned 1998 Third Team All-A-10 honors, led the Musketeers to a 22-8 overall mark, XU's first Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship and a second straight trip to the NCAA Tournament. Lumpkin's senior year, Xavier won 25 games and finished third in the 1999 postseason NIT.

Lumpkin is back home in Delaware and entering his second year as the head coach at his alma mater, William Penn High School.