Former Lobo Basketball Great Ruben Douglas Passes Away

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M – Former New Mexico men’s basketball player Ruben Douglas has passed away at the age of 44.

Douglas, the 2003 Mountain West Player of the Year, starred for the Lobos for three seasons from 2000-01 to 2002-03 after transferring from Arizona. He led the nation in scoring his senior season, averaging 28.0 points per game in 2002-03. That season he made a school-record 253 free throws, including setting school records for free throws and attempts in a single game with his 26-31 performance against Utah.

A three-time All-Mountain West selection (second team in 2000-01, first team in 2001-02 and 2002-03), Douglas finished his Lobo career with 1,782 points, sixth most in program history and most over a three-year span at UNM. Selected to the Mountain West 25th Anniversary Team last month, he still holds the Lobo records for most 20-point games in a career (49), 20-point games in a season (25), consecutive 20-point games (16) and consecutive 30-point games (5).

Following his UNM career, Douglas had a successful professional career overseas. He led Fortitudo Bologna to the 2005 Italian League title, draining the game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer of Game 4 to give the team a 3-1 series win. The following year, he led Russian club Dynamo Moscow to its first EuroCup title, earning finals MVP honors. He would play eight seasons professionally overseas from 2003-12. Douglas also represented Panama at the 2006 FIBA World Championships.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Ruben’s family, friends and former teammates, “said UNM Director of Athletics Eddie Nunez. “He was a tremendous Lobo and was recently honored with his inclusion on the Mountain West’s 25th Season Team. Ruben will be missed.”

A native of Altadena, Calif., Douglas starred at Bellarmine-Jefferson High School before committing to Arizona. He appeared in 27 games during his freshman season with the Wildcats before transferring to New Mexico for his final three seasons.