Indiana Hoosier Cousins

Written By: Bill Murphy

The 60s brought Hoosier fans the fabulous VanArsdale twins, however the early 60s also had a set of relatives that contributed to the success of Indiana basketball.  

Cousins from Shelbyville and Morristown.  The oldest was six foot Gary Long from Shelbyville and his cousin 5 foot 9 Jerry Bass from Morristown. 

Gary came to IU as a member of Shelbyville High Schools Honor Society. He was also Vice President of both his junior and senior class as s well as an All South Central Conference player. He averaged 18 points a game in both his junior and senior years. 

 Jerry Bass  a year younger then his cousin was a three time All Conference,  All County,  and All Sectional team. As well as a member of the Indiana All-Star team.  He would average 24 and 30 points his junior and senior year. 

Gary would move into the Hoosiers starting lineup mid year as a sophomore and wound up as the Hoosiers fourth leading scorer. Coach McCracken described Gary as a steel nerved clutch player who would fill whatever role Indiana needed.  Gary's junior year he shot 57% from the field in Big Ten play. In Gary's three years of varsity play he would average 9,4.3, and 11.7 points a game. But probably his biggest game came on a huge stage in Columbus Ohio on February 2, 1959. Indiana invaded Columbus to take on the Buckeyes, on that night no one was going to stop Indiana or Gary Long. Gary would take 20 shots connecting on 11, while hitting 7 of 8 free throws to lead Indiana in scoring with 29 points as Indiana recorded their highest point total ever with 122 points. Today, Gary's picture can be seen hanging in the varsity shop at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall he is number 43 to the right of Walt Bellamy.  

Jerry Bass was described as a perfect example for McCracken’s argument that there is always a place for a good little man in present day basketball.  A frequent starter he served as a Hoosier spark plug. In his three years for IU he averaged 7.6 , 8.1, and 11.9 points per game. On December 23, 1961, he wore number 23, he tied his career high with 23 points against Iowa State. On January 27th that same season he and Jimmy Rayl combined for 62 points in beating Minnesota in overtime (Rayl had 56 of them). 

Together in back to back games Gary and Jerry scored 17 and 13 points respectively and 14 apiece just two days later. Starting on March 4, 1961 Gary and Jerry each scored in double figures for three straight games to end the season and provide Indiana with 3 victories to end the season on a winning note. 

Indiana for Gary's 3 years was 11 and 11 , 20 and 4, and 15 and 9, while Jerry 's senior year saw Indiana went 13 and 11 finishing in 4th place in the Big Ten.  While Jerry has passed away Gary still lives in the Indianapolis

area attending Indiana games and spending time in Florida.  The cousins did indeed impact Indiana basketball.