Basketball On The Internet.

NATIONAL Basketball League teams this round are expected to follow suit with Sydney Kings and all wear black arm bands to honor Ian Davies who passed away yesterday.

Davies, 57, is an NBL and BA Hall of Fame superstar who in 1981 led Launceston Casino City to the most unlikely championship of all 35 to date, one year after he led all scorers at the Moscow Olympics and a year before he led all scorers at the 1982 World Championship in Colombia.

He was a scoring phenomenon, one of the greatest shooters of all-time and with an unusual and self-taught long-range shot he released from behind his head.

It made him near-impossible to block.

For News Corp today, I wrote this tribute: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/basketball/basketball-superstar-ian-davies-changed-the-game-in-australia-for-the-better/story-fnii09gt-1226755820032 after yesterday breaking the very sad news with: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/basketball/basketball-hall-of-fame-forward-ian-davies-dies-57/story-fnii09gt-1226755261328

Davies' 1985 record of 13 three-pointers in one game still stands but it should be recalled he did it for Newcastle Falcons against St Kilda Saints in the third game of a three-game road trip and it was in Swan Hill.

On Friday, May 3 in Hobart, Davies deferred to fellow Hall of Famer and hotshot Michael Johnson who had 31 points as the Falcons won 93-89. Davies had a quiet 11.

On Saturday, May 4, Newcastle put away Nunawading Spectres 107-89 at Albert Park Stadium, with Davies dropping 28.

Then came the trip to Swan Hill on Sunday, May 5 where the Falcons lost to St Kilda 130-129 and Davies swished his 13 triples in a match total of 47 points.

Wellknown Victorian basketball identity Ken Harrington was doing the stats for St Kilda that day.

"I was only 15 and not good enough to play obviously but wanted to stay involved," he said.

"We played a home game at Swan Hill against Newcastle, trying to get some country interest into a club that was slowly dying.

"Davies went 13-from-24 from the three-point line.

"The truth is that so much was happening in that game that I actually screwed the stats up.

"I have no idea if he took 24 threes that day but me and my mate who were doing the stats figured that looked about right.

"He was special that day, flowing straight hair, shot that was released from behind his head, almost an unblockable fade away in most cases.

"I said to him after the game that I know you made 13 but not sure how many you missed, so I gave you 24 attempts.

"He said: 'I dont remember missing any.' I believe he was serious too!"

That was Ian. One of the greatest of the greats.

The game was richer for having him in it.

R.I.P.