Ransom was inducted in the Cal Athletic Hall of Fame 2001
According to local media reports, Gene Ransom, a former basketball star at Cal Berkeley, was killed in a shooting incident on Oakland California‘s Interstate 880.
According to the Oakland Fire Department, a witness called 911 on Friday night after seeing a car driving along the interstate. She told dispatchers that she believed that the driver was in a medical emergency. California Highway Patrol arrived on the scene and determined that Gene Ransom (65-year-old) was shot in the head before his car crashed , according to ABC 7 News.
ABC 7 News reported Saturday morning that Juan Angel Garcia, 25, of San Francisco was arrested as a suspect. The motive for the shooting remains unknown.
Friends of Ransom informed NBC Bay Area he was the victim in the shooting. Berkeley High posted a tribute on Twitter to him.
Ransom is most well-known for his 63 minute game, and 36 point win against Oregon in five overtimes in 1977. Ransom was a Cal basketball player from 1975-1978, scoring over 1,100 points and an average of 14.8 points in 80 games. Before being selected by the Golden State Warriors in the ninth round, Ransom played all three seasons at Cal.
Ransom was not a player in an NBA game, and was inducted into Cal Athletic Hall of Fame 2001.
Cal Berkeley released a statement saying that they were shocked to learn that Gene Ransom, Cal Athletics Hall of Famer, has been identified as the victim of a fatal freeway shooting. Our thoughts and prayers are with Gene’s loved ones for this terrible loss. Gene was a great player in the history of our men’s basketball team’s men’s basketball program. He will be missed greatly.”
