Josh Maravich and his mother Jackie speak on behalf of the late Pete Maravich
The basketball world mourns the loss of former LSU men’s basketball player, Josh Maravich, who passed away on Friday at the age of 42 at the family home in Covington.
As the son of the legendary LSU basketball and NBA star, Pistol Pete Maravich, Josh Maravich had basketball in his blood. He spent four seasons, from 2001 to 2005, as part of the LSU men’s basketball program under the guidance of head coach John Brady. Despite not seeking the spotlight, Josh’s time at LSU was a heartfelt dedication to his father’s legacy.
“I wanted to come here for my dad to make him proud,” Josh expressed in a 2005 article in the LSU school paper, The Daily Reveille. “I knew I wasn’t going to be a star player, but for me being a walk-on was what I always wanted to do.”
https://twitter.com/LSUBasketball/status/1799547455899320761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1799547455899320761%7Ctwgr%5E27c1d747e6caea00043622aec260beb733c1866d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fncaab%2F2024%2F06%2F09%2Fjosh-maravich-death-pete-maravich-son%2F74035508007%2F
Before his collegiate career, Josh honed his skills at St. Paul’s High School in Covington, where he left an indelible mark. He scored over 1,000 points in his three-year career, earning the MVP title of the District in his senior season. His impressive stats, averaging 18 points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals per game, showcased his prowess on the court.
Born on March 25, 1982, in Metairie, Josh is survived by his mother, Jackie Maravich McLachlan, her husband James, and his older brother Jaeson.
Josh’s contribution to commemorating his father’s legacy was evident during the unveiling of the Pete Maravich statue in July 2022. Alongside his brother Jaeson, Josh played an instrumental role in deciding the statue’s iconic pose displayed outside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Sculptor Brian Hanlon, seeking their input, captured Pistol Pete in full fast-break mode, immortalizing him with a right-handed behind-the-back pass, a testament to the Maravich brothers’ influence on preserving their father’s memory.
As the basketball community remembers Josh Maravich, funeral arrangements are set to be announced at a later date, ensuring a fitting tribute to a legacy that transcends generations.
