I talked with Bobby Phills last Friday night at the Staples Center when the Hornets played the Lakers. I told him how much we respected his game and his character -- he nodded and said "Thank you, sir." A true gentleman and hell of a player. Rest in Peace, Bobby.

Lawrence Tanter
Lakers Public Address Announcer
Los Angeles

		Wednesday, Jan. 12 When the Heat was playing in Charlotte a few years ago, David Wesley was not playing a strong game, so Bobby Phills came in as the point guard and did a terrific job. After the game I told Hornets GM Bob Bass that I thought Phills had done a nice job. And Bass said that Phills was their best team player. Bass said Phills kept everybody together and had no other agenda than helping the team win. Everybody liked and respected him, and he was a good player. I had Phills listed as the leading sixth-man candidate this season. This is a tragic loss.

I remember when Cleveland signed Bobby Phills out of the CBA. He spent his first couple years on the bench and usually was the last person out on the floor during garbage time. When he finally got his chance to play, he made the most of it. With his hard work he steadily got more and more minutes and not only became a starter, but one of the most valuable players for the Cavs. He is one of my favorite players for that.

Babatope Ogunmola
Toledo, Ohio

The day that Bobby Phills went to the Hornets, I knew that they had taken a step in the right direction. Bobby was the inspiration and the key player the Hornets needed to win, and after that they started to improve in areas where Bobby didn't even contribute. Bobby was maybe the first thing that got the Hornets on the winning road.

Nick Nash
Lewiston, Idaho

When Bobby started playing for the Cavs he was the type of guy you really rooted for. He was a hard worker and never gave up. He was exactly the kind of guy that you wanted to do well and that you wanted to win. Even when he went to the Hornets, I never stopped rooting for him.

Tim Van Fossen
Wickliffe, Ohio

I remember watching the Hornets getting blown out by a team on television and the starters still in for both teams. Most of the players looked like they were just going through the motions, but Bobby Phills was still playing his tenacious defense and making open threes to try to get his team back into the game. He wasn't a quitter, he was someone all people should admire.

Jeff Poblete
Sacramento, Calif.

I was recently watching the Lakers play the Hornets, and was noticing Bobby Phills. As a player, he seemingly lulled you to sleep, and the next thing you know, he pops a 3-pointer on you. But, the thing I was also thinking of was that you never heard of Bobby complaining about a contract, or playing time, or number of shots -- or anything, for that matter. It seemed like his personality was much like his playing style: humble and unselfish. He is someone I would have liked to have known, whether he was an NBA player or not.

Laker Derek
Valparaiso, Ind.

I'm a graduate of Grambling State University and I enjoy staying current on players of professional sports from the SWAC conference. Although Bobby went to my arch rival, Southern University, his death hurts just the same. He will be greatly missed and I will keep his family in my prayers.

Chris Dunaway
Houston

Bobby Phills was the nicest basketball player a guy could ever imagine. I went to a camp that he was speaking at and he was so wonderful and approachable. He told me never to give up, and I didn't. Too bad he died so young. My heart and soul goes out to his family.

Scott Morrison
Columbus, Ohio

I am a Southern University and A&M College Alumni, Class of '91.

I remember Bobby when he was on "the yard" at school, during his period as an Alpha Phi Alpha pledge, and even more memorable, when he and his now-wife, Kendall, would walk hand in hand. They were easily one of the cutest couples on the yard. (In the running with me and my boyfriend) My best friend Everetta Edwards, also a Southern Alumni, and I just visited his home in Charlotte to attend his 30th birthday party, orchestrated by Kendall. She invited all his fraternity brothers and college buddies, planned the travel, lodging, and activities. They had a beautiful home decorated with the most beautiful Christmas tree, and were truly blessed.

Southern University is more than an learning institution. It is a home away from home, where you are adopted into an extended family. Losing Bobby is like losing a brother. We will miss you Bobby! Our prayers go out to the family and all your loved ones.

Tracey J. Shanklin
Washington, D.C.

I've seen Bobby Phills play quite a few times, and one of the best things I could say is that I never once saw him lose his head because things weren't going the right way. That's rare in today's sports world.

Randy Schumacher
Readlyn, Iowa

It is so sad to hear of Bobby Phills' accident. As a Laker fan, I remember him with Cleveland as the defensive stopper. In fact, he shut MJ down once and I was really impressed. What's more impressive, however, is that Bobby was a true man. To be the family man he was; to be active with the community the way he was; to be recognized by your teammates the way he was goes a long way. Though Bobby will be missed, he went out the way most of us would like to, and that's having a great relationship with all those around you. God bless Bobby and the Phills family.

Alvin Cruz
Covina, Calif.

I used to work at Cleveland's Gund Arena during the time that Bobby was here. Let me just say, we missed you when you went to Charlotte and you will always be remembered fondly. God bless you.

Diana
Cleveland

I played college ball at Southeastern Louisiana University. I had the privilege of playing against Bobby. We always matched up against each other. He was a great ballplayer and a wonderful person off the court. He was my "claim to fame." He is one of the few NBA players I truly respect.

I had one of my best games as a college player against Bobby; he always brought out the best in me. When he made it to the NBA a piece of me made it as well. He is one of the hardest working guys in that league. There definitely are not enough or even many of his kind still in the NBA. Bobby was not a flashy ball player, so for the fans watching these days he goes unappreciated, until you look at the stats at the end of the game or ask the guy Bobby was guarding. He was one of those guys who does all the little things on the court for his team.

My condolences go to his family, I know they are missing a great man.

I guess that piece of me that Bobby took to the NBA will go with him. I will miss watching and cheering, but he will always remain in my heart.

Michael Wolf
Atlanta

Bobby Phills was "The Man" during his last year or two at Southern University. I attended Southern while he played for the "runnin', gunnin' Jags." During the times I saw him play at SU, the range for his jumper was incredible. His threes were just about automatic. He also showed diversity as he became known throughout the NBA as a strong defender.

I was also touched to hear how much of impact person he was off the court. He represented SU well. Not many athletes exemplify his giving spirit. He will be sorely missed. I would also like to extend my condolences to his wife, Kendall. I knew her well and had several classes with her. The family will be in my prayers during this time of bereavement. God Bless.

Johnny Dunning Jr.
Atlanta

Bobby was a wonderful person. I remember attending classes with him at Southern University. He was a fun guy to be around.

I am deeply touched to know that my friend and fraternity brother has passed. I met Bobby back in the spring of 1990 when I joined Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. We also had some classes together in which we often collaborated on. My last conversation with him was at his home in Charlotte the Sunday after his surprise birthday party. We talked about the life of pro basketball and he was interested in the my life of small town politics. He even committed to coming to my hometown in the offseason to speak to the kids for me. I left there feeling that he and his wife were still the down-to-earth, humble people they always were.

I am a high school and college classmate. Bobby was a great guy. I was very proud of his accomplishments. What a wonderful man he had become. He married his high school sweetheart, Kendall Watkins. The last time I saw him was at a class reunion. I still have the picture of Bobby, Michael Harden, Monique Harper and myself. It is my favorite picture from the reunion because we were all so close in high school. This is a terrible tragedy. I can still hear him introduce himself as a new student in 10th grade at Southern Lab, "Phills, Bobby Phills." I know I speak for everyone in the Southern Laboratory class of 1987, when I say, "He will be greatly missed."

Monica (Willis) Godwin
Dallas

After hearing of the news of Bobby Phills death while driving in my vehicle in Charlotte, I had to pull off the side of the road. You might think that I know Bobby Phills personally. This is not the case. I am a huge Charlotte Hornets fan, but most of all a Bobby Phills fan. You don't have to physically meet an individual to know what kind of a person they are. Bobby's personality and class showed every time he put his feet on the basketball court. He always gave it his all and never complained publicly, even when his role on the team went from a starter to a reserve. I know there are a lot of kids in the Charlotte Metro area that were touched by his kindness and commitment to the community.

Michael Moretz
Charlotte

I had the chance to work on the TV crew shooting camera under the basket at a few Hornets' games last season. Some of our equipment is located in a room down the players' locker room corridor. Of all the Hornets that I ever observed at any length, the two that stand out most are Bobby Phills and Eddie Jones. Those two guys were the most cordial to the fans and employees of the Charlotte Coliseum. The few games that I worked, those two were signing autographs late after games, even when they lost. They treated everyone with respect (which is not the NBA player's norm, I have noticed.)

I wonder if we could muster enough votes to have Phills elected to the All Star Game as a final tribute to his hard work and dedication on and off the court?

James Rieger
New York

During the 1991-92 season, I was director of public relations/broadcasting for the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the Continental Basketball Association. In mid-season, we acquired the rights to Bobby Phills. It was one of the best trades our organization ever made. Bobby was one of the finest players, on-and-off-the-court, to wear a Skyforce uniform. Bobby never took anything for granted. As a professional sports team public relations person, you would do anything to have a roster full of players like Bobby Phills. I could always count on him to visit a school and speak with students. I always made sure I gave him as many compensated player appearances as possible because he'd do so many for free. Bobby always treated people (media, coaching staff, front office staff and fans) with the utmost respect. He showed a maturity one rarely saw in players fresh out of college. He never publicly whined about not being in the NBA like most CBA players do. He knew had to play well to get back to "The Show" and did everything he could to make it a reality. His wish came true at the end of our season when the Cavs signed him. If a professional athlete wants to know how to conduct himself, all he has to do is look at Bobby Phills. This is such a sad day.

Tom Khing
Emeryville, Calif.