SAVANNAH, Ga.- Former Savannah State University men's basketball player Otis J. Brock passed away unexpectedly on April 24, 2012.
Brock, 41, played for the Tigers for three seasons (1990-93).
His father, Otis J. Brock, Jr. was also a SSU basketball letterman (1952-56) and is a member of the SSU Athletic Hall of Fame.
After graduating from Johnson High School in 1989, Brock enrolled at Hampton University. During the 1990-91 academic year brock made his way back to Savannah and enrolled at SSU and joined the basketball team.
As a freshman, Brock played in 23 games and averaged 2.4 points and 1.4 assists. During his second year, he played in 17 games and during his last year on the squad (1992-93) Brock started 22 games and averaged 2.5 points, 2.8, assists and 1.5 steals a game. He was second on the team in assists (74) and steals (39).
Brock graduated from Savannah State in 1994 with a business degree.
In 2011, Brock was among 12 alumni honored by the Savannah Chapter of the Savannah State National Alumni Association during a showcase of outstanding achievements of SSU Male Alumni.
Victor Dixon, a SSU teammate, who now is a businessman in Macon, was saddened to hear of Brock's sudden passing.
“I will always cherish the time we spent as teammates. We were also roommates our last year. He was not only my teammate and friend but he was like family. His mom and dad both welcomed me anytime during our years together. I will truly miss you Otis. My condolences go out too his entire family,” said Dixon.
Bubba Mattox played basketball with Brock at Johnson High and the two attended Savannah State together as athletes.
"Otis was a good friend of mine since the days we use to run around the SSC campus as young little boys while our parents worked at Savannah State. We grew up playing sports together. We were basketball teammates at Johnson High (class of '89). We took our talent to Savannah State where he was a member of the men's basketball team and I was a member of the men's track team. Although we live miles a part because of our chosen professions (Otis - Education & mine - Navy), we remained friends through the years. Brother you are now with the ultimate coach and savior. I cannot argue with that at all. God bless my friend, my former class mate and team mate, God bless until we meet again," stated Mattox.
Michelle Standifer played on the SSU women's basketball team when Brock was playing for the men also shared her thoughts on Brock.
“The following quote reminds me of Otis because he was such a proud man of his Alma Mater: 'When you put on that jersey, the name on the front is more important than the name on the back,' she said.
“When I think of him as a friend, there are some people in your life that make you laugh a little louder, smile a little bigger, and just live a little better. He had an impact on all those he knew in some sort of way,” Standifer added.
Brock had been employed by the Savannah-Chatham County Board of Education for the past 14 years.
He leaves to mourn, his wife Nailah and daughters daughters, Zuri and Zoe, parents Mr & Mrs. Otis J. Brock, Jr. (Annette) and a sister Donna.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
