Basketball Hall of Famer and former Washington Bullets player and head coach Wes Unseld died on Tuesday at the age of 74 due to lengthy health issues, according to his family (h/t ESPN).
“He was the rock of our family — an extremely devoted patriarch who reveled in being with his wife, children, friends and teammates,” Unseld’s family said, in an official statement. “He was our hero and loved playing and working around the game of basketball for the cities of Baltimore and Washington D.C., cities he proudly wore on his chest for so many years.”
Unseld played for Washington from 1968 to 1981 and was a part of the franchise’s only NBA championship title, which was won in 1978, and he also won NBA Finals MVP honors.
Unseld was a five-time All-Star and the 1969 NBA MVP winner.
Following his retirement from playing, Unseld moved to the role of Vice President with the Bullets, where he served for six years, and then transitioned to being the head coach of the Bullets from 1988 until 1996.