Photos: Iowa State, Roland basketball star Gary Thompson

Gary Thompson, Roland High School basketball star and member of "Cordaro's Coonskin Cap Club," shown in 1950.

1957: Gary Thompson and his wife Janet.

Gary Thompson shown during his time as a guard at Roland High School.

1956: Gary Thompson, right, springs into the air for a shot as Drake's Kent Gaer defends.

Gary Thompson in 1976.

Gary Thompson, right, poses with his trophy for being named 1957 Iowa Outstanding Amateur Player.

1957: Iowa State star Gary Thompson plays with a boxer owned by Des Moines restaurant owner Al "Babe" Bisignano, who drove Thompson to Kansas City where Thompson was named the Rockne Club's basketball player of the year.

Gary Thompson, center right holding the trophy, celebrates with teammates after finishing second in the 1951 state tournament. Roland lost to Davenport in the championship game.

Gary Thompson shown during his playing days at Iowa State.

1953: Roland High School basketball players Gary Thompson, left, and Stan Tjernagel, right, measure teammate Marvin Christian.

Buck Cheadle, right, and Roland basketball star Gary Thompson share a hug during the 1953 state basketball tournament. Cheadle coached Roland to the state championship game in 1951 and 1952 before leaving to coach at Burlington.

Gary Thompson was ISU’s first 1,000-point career scorer and the first first-team All-American for the Cyclones.

John Walters, left, and Gary Thompson teamed together for dozens of Iowa State basketball telecasts.

The model for a Gary Thompson statue by Chris Bennett at Skyline Gallery.

1957: Iowa State All-American Gary Thompson poses with Sylvia Froning, left, of Garrison's girls basketball champions and Sandy Fiete, the Iowa Wesleyan All-America, when they got together for a "Dinner of Champions" in Vinton. Froning was an all-state player as were Miss Fiete, at Garnavillo, and Thompson at Roland.

1961: Gary Thompson, former Iowa State and Roland basketball standout, holds daughter Kim, 3, while his wife Janet holds Ricky, 16 months.

Iowa State's long time TV announcer Gary Thompson holds up his arms as he acknowledges the cheer of the crowd during 2005 half-time ceremony. Behind him is his wife, Janet.