Howard Garfinkel, Five-Star camp co-founder, dead at 86
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Basketball Hall of Famer and Five-Star Basketball camp co-founder Howard Garfinkel died Saturday at age 86.
The Five-Star organization announced his passing. Garfinkel was a member of the College Basketball Hall of Fame, the creator of the New York City basketball Hall of Fame, and an instrumental figure in high school and college basketball culture and in the lives of countless young players.
"What made Howard special was his attention to detail," Will Klein, one of his fellow Five-Star co-founders, said in a statement. "He was the consummate professional, and accepted nothing less than perfection."
Garfinkel co-founded Five-Star in 1966, and from there helped modernize and develop youth basketball scouting, college basketball recruiting, summer play and college coach development. He remained a presence around the circuit until his death.
Players passing through Five-Star camps included Michael Jordan, Moses Malone, LeBron James and countless others. Coaches including John Calipari, Rick Pitino and Billy Donovan counted Garfinkel as a friend and mentor.
- Jeremy Woo
