Tributes flow after Australian basketball champion Darryl Pearce dies aged 64

The Australian basketball community is mourning the death of two-time NBL champion Darryl Pearce.

The three-point marksman known as ‘The Iceman’ won titles with both the Adelaide 36ers and North Melbourne Giants in a 374-game career.

Pearce was inducted into the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.

“Darryl was one of our Invincibles and his No.4 jersey hangs proudly from the rafters,” Adelaide executive chairman Grant Kelley said.

“He was an inaugural inductee to the club Hall of Fame, and one of the best shooters the NBL has ever seen.

“Our thoughts and prayers go to the entire Pearce family and the wider basketball community at this time.”

The 36ers will hold a moment of silence prior to tip-off against the Illawarra Hawks tonight, with players to wear black armbands.

Friend and fellow NBL champion turned coach Brendan Joyce was “devastated to hear” the news.

“He is not just a legend of our great game but a sensational guy!” Joyce, also 64, said.

“We have known each other since playing against each other as 11-year-olds in state national basketball and obviously as NBL players.

“RIP mate prayers and condolences to the family.”

The NBL paid tribute on social media.

“The NBL is saddened by the loss of one of the league’s great players,” the league said.

“A two-time championship winner in 1986 and 1994, Pearce was one of the great scorers and shooters that the NBL has seen, sitting 13th all-time in three-point makes.

“Our thoughts are with his family and those who were close to him at this time.”

Melbourne United CEO Nick Truelson said: “On behalf of everyone at Melbourne United we send our condolences to the family and friends of Darryl Pearce who has sadly passed away.”

“We were lucky to have Darryl attend a lot of our home games over the years including the recent 1994 Giants Championship celebration in December,” he added.

Pearce averaged more than 15 points per game across his entire career.