Fighting cancer is close to Greg Anthony’s heart

Lon Kruger and Greg Anthony at the Coaches vs. Cancer Party at the Palms Sunday night.

Greg Anthony had just flown cross-country from New York and didn’t even had time to check into his hotel room when he stopped by Lon Kruger’s second annual Coaches vs. Cancer Party at The Palms event on Sunday night in the famed Hardwood Suite at The Palms Casino Resort.

Anthony, the star point guard on UNLV’s 1990 national championship squad and arguably the toughest Runnin’ Rebel of them all, said the cause is one that is very near and dear to his heart.

“Coaches vs. Cancer is a wonderful organization,” Anthony said. “Cancer in general has just profoundly impacted my life. My mother died from it at the age of 49, my grandfather … so I always try to get involved.”

The Rancho High product, now arguably the No. 1 college basketball commentator in the nation for CBS, is a big fan of Kruger for both his coaching and off the court charitable acts.

“What Coach Kruger and the rest of the coaches have done in trying to get the message out and to promote this cause and raise dollars for it I think has been significant,” Anthony said. “I think it’s going to continue to grow. We had an amazing turnout (Sunday night). I think they’re going to raise a lot of money. It’s always nice to be able to come back and give back in your own community.

“Coach Kruger is unbelievable,” Anthony continued. “He’s done a great job with the program and also a great job within the community.”

The Hardwood Suite was packed with coaches like Cal’s Mike Montgomery, Kansas State’s Frank Martin, Creighton’s Dana Altman, San Diego’s Bill Grier, Utah’s Jim Boylen, Wyoming’s Heath Schroyer and as well as former Rebel head coaches Charlie Spoonhour, Max Good (now at Loyola Marymount) and, of course, Jerry Tarkanian. UNLV’s cheer squad was also on hand as well as some Playboy bunnies, one of which was a pretty fair shooter.

While many of the coaches took part in a “Hot Shot” shooting competition with fans who paid $50 to challenge them, Tark the Shark watched nearby from a small table. A number of fans, coaches and former players stopped by to chat and pose for the pictures with the UNLV coaching legend including Kruger and son Kevin.

“It’s a great event,” Tarkanian said. “It’s a great cause, everybody knows that. I think it’s fun for guys like me to come back and see a lot of the coaches and renew old friendships. It’s a great event. I really enjoy it.”

Jerry Tarkanian (left) poses with Kevin and Lon Kruger at Coaches vs. Cancer Party at the Palms on Sunday night

The turnout for the Party at the Palms, which cost $100 per person and benefits the American Cancer Society, was nearly double that from the inaugural event a year ago.

The MVP was Kruger. Hard to believe it’s been less than two years since he had major heart surgery. For four hours he never stopped moving, posing for pictures, shaking hands, and taking on all comers in shooting contests. I was exhausted just watching him. And at the age of 56, he was arguably the best shooter on a court that also included former Rebels Curtis Terry, Corey Bailey and son Kevin Kruger.

The Coaches vs. Cancer event continues today and Tuesday with a golf tournament at Southern Highlands and TPC Las Vegas.