Considered the first great big man at the University of Florida, Schintzius never lived up to his potential after college. He went on to play for six NBA teams in a nine year professional career. He was drafted out of Florida in the first round of the 1990 draft (24th overall) by the San Antonio Spurs before bouncing around the league with the Sacramento Kings, Nets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers and Boston Celtics.
Schintzius didn't produce big numbers during his injury-plagued pro career and night have been better known for his mullet haircut— which he called The Lobster— than his play. It was one of the all-time great hairstyles in sports.
The 7-1 center led the Gators to the first of three NCAA tournaments for 1987-90, but unceremoniously quit the team 11 games into the 89-90 season after clashing with interim coach Don DeVoe. He was named to the All-American team in '89.
Schintzius had been battling complications from a bone marrow transplant he received as treatment for chronic myelomonocytic leukemia diagnosed two years ago.
The big man with the "business up front, party in the back" haircut played four years with the Nets and posted career bests of 5.8 points per game and 5.0 rebounds off the bench for the team in the 1993 NBA playoffs.
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