The University of Hawaii basketball family was recently stunned by the death of former player Mike McIntyre, who was struck by a vehicle while riding a bicycle in his native Long Beach, Calif., last month. He was 38.
McIntyre, a 6-foot-3 guard, was one of the most prolific 3-point shooters in UH history. A key player on UH’s NCAA Tournament teams of 2000-01 and 2001-02, he regularly supplied double-figure scoring and effective defense off the bench.
According to the Long Beach Press-Telegram, on Sept. 10, Michael Lee McIntyre was entering an intersection at the time of the traffic accident. He was transported to a local hospital in critical condition with major head and body trauma, police told the Press-Telegram. He was described as a transient.
McIntyre died in the hospital three days later, Sept. 13.
The passing of “Mac,” as he was known in his playing days, was not known in UH hoops circles until the last several days.
Former teammate Phil Martin messaged the Star-Advertiser: “I am deeply saddened by the news of Mike’s passing. Mike is more than a teammate — he is a part of my ‘ohana, a brother to myself and everyone whom he played with here in Hawaii. We have the University and its supporters to thank for this bond in which we shared extraordinary experiences both on and off the court. Mike will be dearly missed and remain in our memories forever.”
Former UH coach Bob Nash, who recruited McIntyre out of Long Beach Poly High, had a fondness for him and kept intermittent contact with him while McIntyre dabbled in finances and other ventures after a brief overseas pro basketball career.
“I’m blessed that I had the time to work with him and be a part of his life,” Nash said. “He was a just a great young man who exhibited all the qualities that you would want from a student-athlete. Very respectful. Very humble. Did what you asked. Was not self-absorbed, was more of a team guy, whatever the team needed he was willing to do.”
McIntyre, who fittingly wore No. 3, is fifth in UH career 3-pointers made (159), third in attempts (426) and 10th in 3-point percentage (.373). His 45.2 percent long-range conversion in 1999-00, his sophomore year, ranks second in the UH books for a single season.
In a 2002 story by the Honolulu Advertiser, McIntyre spoke of the importance of his mother, Linda White. His final Facebook post was in September 2017, a plea for support for his mother’s funeral.
“My Mom was the stable and constant thing/person in my life. She was the most dedicated consistent, understanding, and honest person,” he wrote.