Luther Rackley

Luther Rackley Jr. (June 11, 1946 – November 19, 2017) was an American professional basketball player who played six seasons in the National Basketball Association and the American Basketball Association. Born in Bainbridge, Georgia, he grew up in Troy, New York, and attended Troy High School. In his senior season he led the team in scoring and rebounding as the Flying Horses went 22–0, earning a No. 1 national ranking from a University of Kentucky scout and All-American honors. Across his junior and senior years, Troy won 38 of 40 games, two Class A league championships, and a pair of Section II Class A titles; the entire team was inducted into the Capital District Hall of Fame in 2011.

Rackley played college basketball at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. As a sophomore starting center, he averaged 15.0 points and 12.6 rebounds per game. He recorded a season-high 25 points against both the University of Utah and St. Bonaventure University, the latter featuring All-American center Bob Lanier. Against the University of Detroit, he posted 24 points and 19 rebounds and pulled down 25 rebounds.