Ricky Norton, a 1980 McDonald’s All-American at Okolona High School who played guard for Coach Eddie Sutton at the University of Arkansas, died Thursday at CHI St. Vincent’s Hot Springs. He was 61.
“Ricky had been dealing with some ailments the last few years,” said University of Arkansas-Little Rock Coach Darrell Walker, who was Norton’s teammate with the Razorbacks. “He was on [kidney] dialysis, but he was doing fine until a couple of days ago. Then he took a turn for the worse.”
Walker said Norton’s wife, Ann, let him know her husband’s condition and he got to visit his close friend in the hospital.
“I was there when Ricky passed away,” Walker said. “I was able to spend some time with him and hold his hand and talk to him a little bit.
“It was tough, but at least I got a chance to say goodbye to my friend.”
Kentucky was among the teams Norton turned down scholarship offers from to stay home and sign with Arkansas.
The Razorbacks went to the NCAA Tournament in all four of Norton’s seasons from 1980-81 through 1983-84 and had a combined 98-25 record.
As a senior, Norton averaged 8.6 points, 2.4 assists and 1.5 rebounds in 30.3 minutes per game.
“Ricky was a guy that ran the team,” Walker said. “He took shots when he was open. He didn’t turn the ball over, and he could play good defense.
“He had to change his game at the University of Arkansas after being a McDonald’s All-American, but he fit in with Coach Sutton’s system and had a good, solid career.
“Razorback Nation has lost a good one in Ricky — on and off the court.”
Walker and Norton both arrived on the Arkansas campus in the summer of the 1980.
Walker, who became an All-American and played 10 seasons in the NBA, was a sophomore transfer from Westark Community College. Norton was a freshman.
“We hit it off pretty good,” Walker said. “We’ve been friends ever since we first met and stayed in constant contact with each other.
“Ricky was one of my favorite teammates. I’m going to miss my friend dearly.”