Hall of Fame
A three-year starter at guard for UNA men’s basketball teams from 1986-88, Luther Tiggs set school records for most assists in a game (19), season (250) and career (486). He also has the highest free throw percentage in a career at 85.9 and ranked 10th in Division II in free throw percentage as a senior in 1988 at 86.7.
Tiggs helped lead the Lions to a Gulf South Conference Tournament title in 1988 and into the NCAA Division II South Regional. After UNA posted records of 18-9 and 18-10 his first two seasons, the 1987-88 Lions earned the last spot in the GSC Tournament but proceeded to upset top seed UT-Martin in the opening game, then knocked off Troy 79-75 to claim the GSC Championship. The Lions then earned a spot in the NCAA Division II South Regional, where they finished third with a win over Norfolk State.
For his career, Tiggs played in 83 games with 63 starts. He scored 694 total points and had 216 rebounds, 104 steals, eight blocked shots and 486 assists. He was 193-of-404 from the floor (47.7 pct), 250-of-291 from the free throw line (85.9 pct) and 34-of-79 on three-point baskets (43.0 pct). He averaged 8.3 points per game.
A native of Russellville, Ala., he is a 1988 UNA graduate with a B.S. in Education. He earned a Masters of Arts in Education from UNA in 1995 and added a Masters of Arts in Education/Instructional Leadership in 2011.
Recently retired after a lengthy career as a successful high school basketball coach and teacher, he spent four seasons at Buckhorn, 10 at Sparkman, two at James Clemens and the last seven at Bob Jones.
He won an area championship at Buckhorn and five area titles and reached four Elite Eights at Sparkman. He led Sparkman to a Final Four appearance in 2004-05 and to a 32-4 record in 2005-06.
In all, Tiggs had a 427-248 record as a high school head basketball coach in 22 seasons, and had a combined 33 years in teaching and coaching.
In addition, for the last 25 years he has served on the committee to select the participants in the Alabama All-Star Game.
