Magic Johnson is grieving the loss of a “great basketball player,” who was his teammate at MSU! In the epic 1979 National Championship battle between Johnson’s Michigan and Larry Bird’s Indiana State, Ron Charles, popularly known as BoBo, had a crucial role, contributing 7 points and 7 rebounds and guarding the future Celtics legend to lead the Spartans to their first NCAA title. Johnson, who spent 2 years playing alongside Charles, knows it better than anyone. From not even wanting to come to Michigan to breaking records for the Spartans, Charles etched his name in MSU history.

The 65-year-old Charles suddenly passed away on Sunday following complications from a recent knee replacement surgery, as per his brother. The basketball community in his native Virgin Islands was caught by surprise with this news. The St. Croix’s Central High School ‘s gymnasium had been renamed in Charles’ honor years ago. There’s also a youth basketball league there in his name.

It was heartbreaking for Johnson and all the other teammates who played alongside Charles. “I am still in disbelief after hearing the news about my Michigan State University teammate Ron “BoBo” Charles. Ron was such a kind and nice person who never had anything bad to say about anyone. He always stayed positive and treated people with respect,” Johnson wrote on X. He emphasised Charles’ importance to the Spartans as well. 

The Los Angeles Lakers legend further added, “Cookie and I are definitely devastated and saddened by the news because we were all so close and spent a lot of time together at MSU. Ron is gone way too early and will be sorely missed. We are praying for his two children, extended family and friends across the Virgin Islands and here in the U.S.” 

Charles spent four years on MSU’s basketball team. He holds the record for shooting accuracy from the field (.665). It’s hard to imagine the Spartans’ 1979 championship-winning team without him. Hailing from the Virgin Islands, Charles wasn’t going to pick Michigan State as his first choice. He wasn’t fond of the harsh, cold climate.

It snowed during his freshman year. And sometimes he would cry because it was so cold. He didn’t have a winter coat or a long-sleeved shirt, as T-shirts and sandals were all that he had earlier. Staying so far away from the family at just the age of 17 was tough for him.

“I didn’t have a winter coat. I didn’t even have a long-sleeved shirt. T-shirts, shorts, and sandals were all we wore,” Charles said as per MSU. However, the roster featuring Bob Chapman and Gregory Kelser deeply impressed him and they were glad that he chose MSU. 

Why was Ron Charles so important in the 1979 Championship win?

As MSU’s official page describes, Charles was the “Ultimate role player.” He molded into every role he was given by the head coach of the Spartans, Jud Heathcote, and was able to get better at it. During Charles’ sophomore year in 1977, Magic Johnson joined the program. As Charles predicted, it was a great team, but there were ups and downs. 

After an 83-65 loss at Northwestern, Heathcote brought in a few significant changes in the roster. While Charles usually came off the bench, he was in the starting lineup for a game in 1979 due to an injury. But after the loss, that was changed. Instead of Charles, Mike Brkovich was asked to start the game. While that wasn’t easy for the former, he showed incredible teamwork and accepted his role. He understood what was best for the team. And that turned out to be a game changer, with the Spartans gaining a win over Ohio and becoming one of the best college basketball teams.

Charles even confessed that he might have gotten more time in any other team. However, he was happy that he chose MSU and got great friends such as Johnson and Terry Donnelly. Charles had an average of 8.3 points and 5.1 rebounds in the 110 games played for the Spartans. He was subsequently drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1980 but never suited up for them. BoBo spent most of his professional career in Europe. 

He returned to the USA in 1989 and settled in Atlanta, and quietly continued to do his best. Like any alumnus, Charles was always seen on the sidelines quietly cheering and rooting for MSU. Donnelly also took to X and wrote, “An incredibly sad day today, to hear of my teammate Ron “BoBo” Charles’s passing. He was an incredible teammate and lifelong friend. Condolences to Ron’s family, I will miss him dearly! 🙏💚🤍.”

Charles was the shining example of impressive sportsmanship. He was neither upset with his role on the Spartans nor after not being able to play in the NBA. He took his talents to international leagues in France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal and continued to do what he loved. His positivity and outlook were something that stayed with his teammates. He just made the no. 15 of the MSU more iconic during his playing days and carved a legacy for his two kids to follow. 

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection, Silas Demary Jr.