DALLAS (SMU) --- Larry Showalter, a two-time All-Southwest Conference honoree and starter on SMU's 1956 NCAA men's basketball Final Four team, passed away Thursday in Dallas at the age of 82.

Showalter averaged 9.8 points and 6.0 rebounds for his career, helping lead SMU to the 1955, 1956 and 1957 Southwest Conference championships. The Mustangs reached the NCAA Tournament regional semifinal each season with a trip to the Final Four in 1956.

As a junior, Showalter was named All-SWC as the Mustangs went 26-4 and reached the 1956 NCAA Final Four. He averaged 11.0 points and 5.7 rebounds for the season, including 20 points and 6 rebounds in the 84-63 regional final win against Oklahoma City.

He was also selected All-SWC as a senior in 1956-57 when he averaged career highs of 11.1 points and 7.5 rebounds. The Mustangs finished 22-4 and were ranked in the top 10 all season, reaching as high as No. 3.
The Mustangs were 63-19 in his three years on the varsity (1954-57), including a 32-1 home record that spanned the final two seasons at Perkins Gymnasium and the first season in Moody Coliseum.

Showalter came to the Hilltop from Adamson High School in Dallas.