Gary Kane is known as being one of the best — if not the best — basketball players the Mining City has ever produced.

The 1989 Butte High graduate is known for his clutch shots and big victories for the Bulldogs. He is known for his great freshman season at the University of Montana, helping lead the Grizzlies to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 15 years in 1991. He is known for that tournament game against the great UNLV team.

The Butte Sports Hall of Famer is also known as a member of the 1989 Butte High team that lost the Class AA State championship game to Kalispell after starting the season at 21-0.

More than anything, Gary is known for his workouts. From a young age, he worked out in gyms with his grandpa, Harry “Rube” Pierce, at East Junior High School. He took the legendary Steve Alford workout and customized it, more than doubling it in time.

That hard work led to Gary to some incredible honors on the hardwood. He was named the Gatorade Circle of Champions Montana High School Basketball Player of the Year in 1989. He was also named the Montana Player of the Year by USA Today.

Today, though, Gary is not much for living in the past. He does not let a loss define him or his teammates, and he does not revel in the glory days. Instead, he is focused on living the good life with his wife, Javanka, a professor at Montana State University, and his two dogs.

Yesterday, I met Gary at the Knights of Columbus Hall for a really good conversation. Listen in as Gary describes all that hard work. Listen as he talks about the State title game and playing against that legendary UNLV team.

Listen in as Gary talks about some of his great teammates and classmates. Listen in to hear that even though Gary lives in the Bozeman area, he is still very much a Butte Boy. 

Don’t be mistake. He is also still a Grizzly.

Today’s episode of the ButteCast is presented by the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jewelry Design Center⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Let Brian Toone and Co. be your jewelers for life.

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