Willis Reed, who won two NBA championships during his legendary career with the New York Knicks, has died, the team confirmed in a statement on Tuesday. He was 80.
Reed played 10 seasons in the NBA from 1964 to ’74, all with the Knicks. He was named to the All-NBA team five times, made seven All-Star teams and won MVP in the 1969-70 season.
“The Knicks organization is deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Captain, Willis Reed,” the Knicks’ statement read. “As we mourn, we will always strive to uphold the standard he left behind – the unmatched leadership, sacrifice and work ethic that personified him as a champion among champions.
“His is a legacy that will live forever. We ask everyone to please respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time.”
Undersized at the time for a center, Reed made up for it with his physicality on both ends, averaging nearly 19 points and 13 rebounds during his Hall of Fame career.
His most famous moment came during Game 7 of the 1970 NBA finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. After a thigh injury had sidelined him in the previous game, Reed shocked the Madison Square Garden crowd by walking onto the court during warmups.
He scored the Knicks’ first two field goals and went on to win Finals MVP as the Knicks won the franchise’s first championship. Reed was again named Finals MVP two seasons later after New York’s second title.
Reed’s career was cut short by injuries and he retired shortly after the second title run. He went on to briefly coach the Knicks before taking over at Creighton from 1981 to ’85.
He eventually joined the New Jersey Nets in 1988, first as a coach and then as a member of the front office, helping to build the franchise into a championship contender in the early 2000s.