Willis Reed, an American basketball player, coach and general manager died on March 21, 2023, at the age of 80.
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Longtime basketball columnist Peter Vecsey broke the news first, adding that Reed “suffered from congestive heart problems.”
The retired players association’s official account posted a message in his honour.
The basketball community has lost a Legend. Our hearts are with the family, friends and fans of Willis Reed.#LegendsForever pic.twitter.com/AindMB0OGb
— NBA Alumni 🏀 (@NBAalumni) March 21, 2023
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Willis Reed spent his entire professional playing career (1964–1974) with the New York Knicks.
Reed’s 1969-70 season was one of the best in league history, as he became the first player in league history to win the All-Star Game MVP, regular-season MVP, and Finals MVP awards all in the same season.
Only Michael Jordan in 1996 and 1998, and Shaquille O’Neal in 2000, have accomplished what Reed has.
In retirement, Reed briefly coached the New York Knicks in the late 1970s and the New Jersey Nets a decade later. In the interim, he coached Creighton University for four years and worked as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks and Sacramento Kings.
Reed was named general manager of the Nets in 1989. In 1982, Reed was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
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