New York Knicks icon Willis Reed, who won two NBA championships during his legendary career with the organization, has passed away at the age of 80, according to an official team announcement issued on Tuesday.
Reed played 10 seasons in the NBA from 1964 through 1974, spending all of them with the Knicks organization. Reed earned seven All-Star team nominations, was named to the All-NBA team five times, and won the NBA MVP during the 1969-1970 season. Reed’s career was cut short by injuries and Reed retired shortly after the Knicks’ second title run.
“The Knicks organization is deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Captain, Willis Reed,” the Knicks’ official 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.”
Following his retirement, Reed coached the Knicks for a brief period before taking over at Creighton from 1981 to 1985. Reed would eventually join the New Jersey Nets organization in 1988, first as the team’s head coach and then as a member of the front office and was instrumental in helping build the team into a championship contender during the early 2000s.
