ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Larry "Gator" Rivers, a Missouri Western State University basketball legend who helped integrate high school basketball in the state of Georgia, spent 16 years playing and coaching with the world famous Harlem Globetrotters, and later became a civil servant in his hometown, passed away Saturday at the age of 73 after battling cancer.

The Savannah, Ga. native was just 14 when he attracted the attention of Russell Ellington, head coach at Alfred Ely Beach High School. Rivers had quit school to run a pool room, but Ellington convinced Rivers' mother to let Rivers live with him for his high school years; and Ellington got Rivers back in school and on the basketball team. Rivers was an all-City, all-Region, and all-State honoree, and during his sophomore season, his Beach High School team won a state title in the first integrated Georgia High School Association tournament – winning the championship game by 39 points.

Rivers' ability on the basketball court brought him to the state of Missouri, where he became an all-American at Moberly Junior College. There, he caught the eye of Griffon head coach Gary Filbert, who thought Rivers was just what he needed to put the Griffon program on the map.

Rivers was not initially interested in coming to Missouri Western, but nevertheless, Filbert persisted, and when he found out that Rivers' dream was to play for the Harlem Globetrotters, Filbert brokered an introduction between Rivers and the man who promoted the Globetrotters in the Midwest on Rivers' campus visit.

Rivers transferred to Missouri Western in the spring of 1971 and was invited to the Globetrotters' summer camp before donning a Griffon uniform for the first time; but Rivers had two years of college eligibility remaining and wanted to use them.

The results on the court spoke for themselves – Rivers became an all-conference guard and a key component of the 1972-73 Griffons squad that posted a 27-2 record. Along the way, he set a single-game record with 16 assists – a record that stands to this day.

After his two-year playing career at Missouri Western, Rivers joined the Globetrotters in 1973, spending a total of 16 years with the Globetrotters as a player and coach, playing in China and all over the United States, including at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

After retiring from the Globetrotters, Rivers returned to St. Joseph and coached locally at area high schools before returning to his hometown of Savannah.

For his achievements, Rivers was inducted into the Missouri Western State University Hall of Fame in 1990, the Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999, and on Jan. 19, 1982, was on hand as his Globetrotters became the first athletic team immortalized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Rivers started Gatorball Academy while in St. Joseph, and continued the program after returning home to Georgia. In addition to Gatorball Academy, Rivers' community involvement included volunteering in schools and promoting the rebuilding of neighborhood basketball courts.

His community involvement led Rivers to run for the Chatham County commission in 2020, where he was elected without opposition. Rivers served in that role until his passing.

Rivers' passing has brought an outpouring of memories and condolences from friends and colleagues, including Governor Brian Kemp, Congressman Buddy Carter, and Savannah Mayor Van Johnson.

Chatham County Commission Chairman Chester Ellis not only served alongside Rivers, but was a lifelong friend.

"He was an advocate for what we were doing as far as where children were concerned," said Ellis. "That was a big part of him: giving to the children that's behind him. Like he said, 'Somebody gave to me, and so it's my job and responsibility to give back.' And that's going to be missing a whole lot."