Phoenix Suns’ Vanos Was on Threshold of Great Year

Phoenix Suns center Nick Vanos, who was among those killed aboard a Northwest Airlines plane that crashed Sunday night after taking off from Detroit’s airport, was on the threshold of what was expected to be his greatest year in the National Basketball Assn.

“We are stunned, shocked and deeply saddened at the loss of Nick Vanos. It’s just a terrible shock when a young man loses his life at such an early age,” said Suns General Manager Jerry Colangelo in a statement relayed by assistant public relations director Kheni White.

“Nick recently appeared to be coming into his own, and to have his life taken away at this time is a tragedy to his family, friends and to our organization,” Colangelo added.

The athlete’s father, Peter Vanos of San Mateo, Calif., said his son had spent four days in Plymouth, Mich., vacationing with a friend.

Last season the 7-foot-2 center was used sparingly but he appeared to be a likely starter for the Suns this season after averaging 7.8 points and 8.2 rebounds in the team’s last 10 games.

Vanos, 24, was the Suns second-round draft pick in 1985 after his college career at Santa Clara and was the first seven-footer ever drafted by the Phoenix franchise, White said.

He became a crowd favorite and had a fan club established in his honor.

During his two-year career with the Suns, Vanos averaged 3.3 points and 3.5 rebounds in 68 games, with a career high of 14 points against the Sacramento Kings last April 14 and a career-high 13 rebounds against the Portland Trail Blazers earlier that month.

Vanos is survived by his parents and three younger siblings.