Linton Townes (1998) - JMU Athletics Hall of Fame - James Madison University Athletics

Linton Townes

Induction:
1998
Class:
1982

Linton Townes was the captain and most valuable player on JMU's most-successful men's basketball team, the Dukes' 1981-82 squad that was 24-6 and reached the second round of the NCAA Eastern Regional. As a senior in 1981-82 he averaged a team-leading 16.3 points per game and was the player of the year in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) South, which became the Colonial Athletic Association. JMU beat Ohio State in its NCAA opener before losing 52-50 to North Carolina's eventual national championship team that included future professional first-round draft choices Michael Jordan, James Worthy and Sam Perkins.

Townes completed his career with 1,380 points, 507 rebounds and 191 assists, and at the time was among only three Dukes with 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 100 assists in a career. He was the Portland Trail Blazers' second-round selection (33rd player chosen) in the 1982 National Basketball Association draft, and he played several seasons in the NBA and several more abroad.

When inducted into JMU's Sports Hall of Fame, Townes still ranked in the top 10 among all JMU players in scoring, field goals made (614) and shooting percentage (.557). His career shooting percentage mark was the best among perimeter players in the history of the JMU program. Townes' 15.3 scoring average also was the best on JMU's 1980-81 team that was 21-9, won the ECAC South Tournament and reached the second round of NCAA play.