College basketball historians and older fans of the game were undoubtedly disappointed to learn that two former standout stars from years ago had passed away.

Wesley Cox, a star for the University of Louisville in the mid-1970s, was 69, while John Ray Godfrey, a star for Abilene Christian University in the mid-1960s, was 80.

Both men were fondly remembered by their respective schools and condolences were offered for their losses.

Louisville Cardinals mourn the loss of a former standout

The Louisville Courier-Journal reported on Monday that Cox, who'd been battling diabetes and kidney issues and had both legs amputated below the knees two years ago, died over the weekend as a result of those health issues.

Cox, a lifelong sufferer of asthma who almost died as a teenager because of it, nonetheless learned to overcome that condition and became a star player for the Male High School Bulldogs in the early 1970s, where as a senior he was named Kentucky's Mr. Basketball and was included in Parade magazine's All-American team.

He turned down offers from other schools so that he could play for his hometown Louisville Cardinals and was a starter for all four years he was there, during which he led the team to a Final Four loss to UCLA even as he dealt with a hamstring injury.

Cox played briefly in the NBA for the Golden State Warriors but was forced to end his career after just two seasons because of his asthma. He returned to Louisville and worked as a public servant, paralegal, and teacher of elementary, middle school, and Sunday school at his local church.

The Louisville Men's Basketball team said in an X post, "We're saddened to share the passing of All-American and UofL Athletics Hall of Famer Wesley Cox. We will be honoring the Louisville legend with a moment of silence at tonight's game against Bellarmine. Wesley's family and loved ones are in our thoughts and prayers."

Abilene Christian Wildcats say goodbye to former star

Also on Sunday, Big Country Homepage in Texas reported that former basketball star John Ray Godfrey had died at the age of 80 from an undisclosed cause.

He had been a standout star in high school with the Aspermont Hornets and led his team to a pair of state tournament appearances, which paved the way for him to become a star player at Abilene Christian University from 1964 to 1968.

While playing for the Wildcats, he was the first from that school to earn first-team NCAA All-American honors. He also helped lead his squad to an NCAA Division II tournament appearance, won the Southland Conference tournament three times, was named to the All-conference team three times, and was named the conference's most valuable player in his senior year.

"Today we remember John Ray Godfrey and his legacy left on the ACU Men’s Basketball Program," the Wildcats posted on X. "Godfrey graduated from ACU in 1968 and in that year, helped the Wildcats win in overtime to secure a conference championship."

"He was inducted into the ACU Sports Hall of Fame in 1989 and remains the only Wildcat to have his number, 14, retired in the Men’s Basketball Program," the school added.

BCH noted that Godfrey was laid to rest on Tuesday, while the Courier-Journal noted that Cox would be memorialized and buried on Saturday.