14 Facts About Clifford Luyk

Clifford "Cliff" Luyk Diem was born on June 28,1941 and is an American-born Spanish retired professional basketball player and coach, who played professionally in Spain and Europe from 1962 to 1978.

Clifford Luyk played college basketball for the University of Florida.

Clifford Luyk was drafted by the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association, but never played a regular season game in the NBA.

Clifford Luyk signed with the Spanish professional team Real Madrid, helped Real Madrid become the dominant European basketball team of the 1960s, and is remembered for his trademark, old-school hook shot.

Clifford Luyk was born in Syracuse, New York, to a Dutch-born father and a Swiss-born mother.

Clifford Luyk attended Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School in Verona, New York, where the 6-foot, eight-inch Luyk became the star center for the VVS Red Devils high school basketball team.

Clifford Luyk enrolled in the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played for coach John Mauer and coach Norm Sloan's Florida Gators basketball team from 1959 to 1962.

Memorably, Clifford Luyk scored 40 points against the Tennessee Volunteers and 36 points versus the Georgia Bulldogs.

Clifford Luyk joined Real Madrid in 1962, and became a naturalized Spanish citizen three years later.

Clifford Luyk retired in 1978, having won six EuroLeague titles with Madrid's legendary club.

Clifford Luyk won 14 Spanish League championships, 10 Spanish Cups, and two FIBA Intercontinental Cups.

Clifford Luyk played at the 1968 Summer Olympic Games, EuroBasket 1969, EuroBasket 1971, the 1972 Summer Olympics, EuroBasket 1973, the 1974 FIBA World Championship, EuroBasket 1975, and the 1975 Mediterranean Games.

Clifford Luyk returned to Real Madrid as head coach, from 1991 to 1994, and won two Spanish League championships, a FIBA Saporta Cup and a Spanish King's Cup.

Clifford Luyk married Paquita Torres Perez, a former Miss Spain and Miss Europe, in 1970.