Gary Pokorn graduated from York Community High School in Elmhurst, Illinois. While at Knox, Gary was a three-year starter and two-year captain in basketball from 1972 to 1975. During his sophomore year, Gary lead the conference in scoring, averaging 21.2 points and 6.3 rebounds per game; was among the NCAA Division III leaders in field goal percentage; and was named to the All-Midwest Conference first team. That year, he also set the Knox record for field goal accuracy, hitting 56.8 percent of his shots, as well as the school record for points in a game (37) and most field goals (16) in a game, which still ranks second on the all-time record list.
As a junior, Gary averaged 14.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. He also served as one of the team's co-captains and committed only 32 personal fouls, second on the college's all-time list, while guarding post players who were often times three to four inches taller than Gary. It was during Gary's senior year, however, that everything came together for Siwash basketball. Gary helped lead the 1974-75 team to a 16-7 record, a Midwest Conference co-championship and a berth in the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship where his team lost a heart-breaking three-point game to Augustana College, a team that went on to finish third in the nation. During that great season, Gary averaged 16.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, was elected the team’s Most Valuable Senior and named to the All-Midwest Conference second team.
During his three-year career, Gary averaged 17.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, was ranked among the nation's best Division III free throw shooters all three years and graduated as the highest scorer in Knox history with 1,149 points, which still ranks him 7
th on the all-time record list.
Former Head Basketball Coach and Athletic Director Harley Knosher said of Gary, “Gary was one of the best offensive players we have had at Knox as he demonstrated his sophomore year. He consciously changed his role the next two years because it was what the team needed to be a champion.”
