Boddie, Otis

His running one hand jump shot was poetry. His ability to lead and produce victories was all heart.
Bradshaw graduate Otis Boddie sent his Bruins to new levels, leading his team to the state 4A Championship in 1976 at a time when high school basketball was viewed at its best in Alabama. He later led the University of North Alabama to its first national championship. He was team leader and leading scorer for both programs. He was named MVP in the state 4A Basketball Championship Tournament in 1976 as well as the MVP of the All-State Team, as selected by the Birmingham Post Herald. At UNA he led the lions to three NCAA Division II Final Four appearances. His team won the 1979 Championship. His desire to win was best exemplified during the 1980 NCAA Tournament against Central Missouri State. Although injured, Boddie came off the bench to score 31 points in the second half to lead the Lions to a come-from-behind win. He led UNA in scoring four straight years and remains UNA's all-time leading scorer with 1,963 points. averaging 16.8 points during his career. He still holds four Gulf South Conference records and was the conference's Player of the Year in 1980, earning All-American status the some season. He was drafted by the los Angeles Lakers.