Howard "Butch" Komives, a celebrated basketball player at Woodward High School, Bowling Green State University, and the NBA, died Sunday in the University of Toledo Medical Center. He was 67.

His son, Shane Komives, said his father was found by Butch Komives' wife, Marcia, unconscious and unresponsive Thursday afternoon at home.

He was admitted to the hospital, where he underwent surgery for a head injury.

Komives graduated from Woodward in 1960 and went on to become a three-time All-Mid American Conference selection at Bowling Green State University.

He led the nation with a 36.7 scoring average and led the MAC with a 35.6 scoring average in the 1963-64 season.

He also led the Falcons to two Mid American Conference Championships and NCAA tournament berths in 1962 and 1963.

Komives went on to an illustrious 10-year career in the NBA with New York, Detroit, Buffalo, and Kansas City-Omaha.

First Published March 22, 2009, 10:53 p.m.