Knicks legend Willis Reed, who won two NBA championships with New York in the 1970s, has passed away. He was 80 years old.
The Basketball Retired Players Association announced the sad news on Tuesday, with NBA insider Peter Vecsey confirming the Hall of Fame center âsuffered from congestive heart problems over the past year or so, and was going through rehab to walk.â
The basketball community has lost a Legend. Our hearts are with the family, friends and fans of Willis Reed. #LegendsForever
Just received word that Willis Reed, 80, passed this morning. He has suffered from congestive heart problems over the past year or so, and was going through rehab to walk. Loved everything about Willis! A manâs man!!
âThe Knicks organization is deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Captain, Willis Reed,â the Knicks said in a statement on social media. âAs we mourn, we will always strive to uphold the standards he left behind â the unmatched leadership, sacrifice and work ethic that personified him as a champion among champions.â
âHis is a legacy that will live forever,â the team added. âWe ask everyone to please respect the familyâs privacy during this difficult time.â
Our Captain.
Drafted with the 10th overall pick in the 1964 NBA Draft, Reed would play all 10 of his NBA seasons with the Knicks, finishing his career with averages of 18.7 points and 12.9 rebounds per game.
Reed would become a seven-time All-Star, and five-time All-NBA selection. Reed was named the 1970 NBA MVP en route to leading the Knicksâ to the franchiseâs first championship that June, as New York won the title by outlasting the Los Angeles Lakers in seven games.
After carrying the Knicks to another NBA Finals trip in 1972, which ended in a five-game loss to the Lakers, Reed earned his second ring the following year, as New York toppled the defending champion Lakers in five games.
