Much of the free world, and particularly Minnesota, has been reeling from the stunning news Thursday of Prince's death. He was a rare talent and a vibrant personality whose impact was immeasurably far-reaching.
Some of that reach extended into the sports world. Here are some of the highlights from that realm:
• Junior high basketball: One of the most enjoyable images you will ever see is from Prince's early 1970s days playing basketball for Minneapolis Bryant Junior High. The photo resurfaced last year on social media, prompting longtime Star Tribune music writer Jon Bream — who wrote the original feature on Prince in 1984 where the photo first appeared for publication — to revisit it in a blog post last March. Wrote Bream:
"As he moved on to Central High School (class of 1976), Prince, who still likes to play basketball (even wearing his high-heeled shoes), gravitated more toward music, especially since he wasn't getting much playing time on the court."
• Timberwolves fandom: Prince was a regular at Timberwolves games — particularly during the original Kevin Garnett era. The Wolves released a statement on behalf of owner Glen Taylor on Thursday that read:
"Today we lost a local icon, legend and musical innovator. Prince represented Minnesota with grace, passion and a hunger for helping others. Over the years be became a huge Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx fan, attending numerous games and even treating our Lynx players and staff with a private concert at Paisley Park after winning the WNBA championship this past fall. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy, especially the Prince family."
• Lynx party: Speaking of that party referenced by Taylor, it was — as many Paisley Park experiences are — a life-altering event for players. I had a chance to ask another famous Minnesotan, Lindsay Whalen, what it was like to be there. Here's what she said not long after it happened:
"It was kind of surreal. Unforgettable. All the sudden you walk in — I'd never been there before — there's a studio, and OK, there's Prince. It's just like, 'There he is.' He was up there doing it, man. He was running around. He had his guitar out. I think he played every instrument. He was unbelievable."
