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USF Career Years: 1985-1989
Hometown: Oakland, CA
Mark McCathrion was born on April 23, 1967 in Oakland, and attended Bishop O’Dowd High School. Standing at 6’ 8” he played high school basketball as a forward, started for three years, and averaged 14.0 PPG his last season. McCathrion was recruited by Head Coach Jim Brovelli in 1985 as USF was restarting their basketball program after disbanding in 1982. Brovelli told the Foghorn: "He is one of the two best players in the state. He is exceptionally quick and has the strength to go inside." McCathrion was a versatile player during his time on the Hilltop and by the end of his USF career he ranked 17th in rebounds (641), and ninth in scoring with 1376. His career high was 35 points in a 123-109 win over Loyola Marymount University on February 25, 1989.
In the 1988 title game at the Met Life Classic, McCathrion sank a three-point shot in the closing minutes of the game bringing the score to 71-70 against the Hawaii Rainbows. After two free throws by San Francisco’s Kevin Mouton and a Hawaii basket made it 73-72, Ellis pulled off a steal, dunk and knocked down a free throw for a 76-72 lead with seven seconds left.
McCathrion scored 24 of their 76 points and was named Tournament MVP. “Defense turned it around. Our defense picked it up a notch late in the game, and we made them work for every shot on the inside,” said head coach Jim Brovelli, whose team won for the first time since restarting the program (USF Athletics).
Photo courtesy of Rodney Lee, Class of 1980.
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