Three time Sweet 16 and one time final 4 Longhorn basketball player James Klotz has passed away

Jason Klotz led Klein Forest High School in Houston to the state title in 2000, losing to the future Longhorn Ford’s Willowridge team. Rick Barnes convinced him to join Texas, and what a time to join the Longhorns. Jason Klotz, 2000 -2005, excelled at center, on defense and blocking shots. Jason was known by his teammates as a physical player with an end-you-face style of defense. He blocked 103 in his career, which is the ninth-best in Longhorn history. The years he played were the best consecutive years of Longhorn Basketball ever. In his 5 years as a Horn (he got hurt in his freshman year and got a 5th playing for Texas), Jason was involved in 3 Sweet 16 and one final 4 appearance in his 131 games for the Horns.

Former Texas forward PJ Tucker, who was a teammate of Klotz for two seasons in Austin, acknowledged his passing with a heartfelt message on social media. “Damn dawg, this one hurts. 1 of 1!!” Tucker wrote. “When I first go to Austin, you were one of the few who looked out for me. So many memories. Love you, brother, forever!”

He grew as a player every year, ending in 2004-2005 as team captain and co-team MVP.