The former star of the New York Knicks, Willis Reed, passed away this Tuesday at the age of 80, as reported by the journalist of the New York PostDon Burke.
A member of the team from 1964 to 1974, Reed was one of the leading role models for the 1970 and 1973 NBA champion Knicks, receiving the Finals MVP award on both occasions. In addition, he participated in seven All Star Game, and won the Rookie of the Year awards in 1965 and the MVP of the season in 1970.
Reed played a total of 650 regular season games, in which he averaged 18.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 35.5 minutes. In recognition of his prolific career, the center was included in the lists of the 50 and 75 greatest players in NBA history.
After finishing his playing career, Reed served as a coach and executive in the front offices of several NBA franchises, including the Knicks themselves, whom he coached during the 1977-78 academic year. His last official position in the league was vice president of operations for the New Orleans Hornets, a stage that ended in 2007.
(NBAE cover photo via Getty Images)