CHICAGO - Mary Thomas, 86, mother of Hall of Fame basketball star and Florida International University coach Isiah Thomas, died Wednesday at Adventist Hinsdale Hospital in suburban Chicago, hospital spokeswoman Lisa Parro said.

Thomas had open-heart surgery in November the same day her son made his coaching debut for FIU. He is expected to miss at least two FIU games, team spokesman Paul Dodson said.

Mary Thomas' struggle to protect her children from gang violence and drugs on Chicago's West Side was turned into a television movie, "A Mother's Courage: The Mary Thomas Story."

Isiah Thomas won an NCAA championship at Indiana and two NBA titles with the Detroit Pistons.- AP

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