NBA Hall of Famer Willis Reed passes away at age 80
March 23, 2023

According to Brian Mahoney of the Associated Press on Tuesday, basketball Hall of Famer Willis Reed of Lincoln Parish, Louisiana passed away at the age of 80 on Tuesday. Reed played 10 seasons with the New York Knicks from 1964 to 1974, and was an All-Star in his first seven National Basketball Association seasons from 1965 to 1971.
Reed played 650 NBA regular season games and averaged 18.7 points per game, 12.9 rebounds per game, and 1.8 assists per game. He had a field goal percentage of .476 and a free throw percentage of .747. Primarily a center, Reed did move over to power forward as his primary position for three seasons from 1966 to 1968, before moving back to pivot where he remained for the rest of his career.
Reed was named the most valuable player of the 1970 NBA season. He had 21.7 points per game and 13.9 rebounds per game.
Error, group does not exist! Check your syntax! (ID: 27)
Twice Reed won the NBA Finals and was named NBA Finals MVP with the Knicks on each occasion. The first time came in 1970 and the second time in 1973. In 1970, the Knicks beat the Los Angeles Lakers four games to three in the NBA Finals. Reed led the Knicks in scoring in game one of the 1970 Finals by scoring 37 points in a 124-112 Knicks win. Then in game three, Reed scored 38 points in a 111-108 Knicks overtime win.
In 1973, the Knicks beat the Lakers again, this time four games to one. Reed had a double-double in the last three games of the series, including 22 points and 10 rebounds in game three, an 87-83 Knicks win.
Reed was nominated into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982. After his playing career, he also spent two seasons each coaching the Knicks (1977 to 1979) and the New Jersey Nets (1987 to 1989).
Fill In The Form Below To Receive Our NBA News & Tips Via Email!
July 29, 2025
Warwick Farm Best Selection & Value Play 30/7
Midweek Sydney racing heads to Warwick Farm on Wednesday Our analyst has selected an emerging Matthew Smith 3yo and a Conners runner at big odds getting a clear map advantage Best Selection: Read MoreJuly 29, 2025
2025 Cleveland Browns Projected Finish, Key Signings & Fantasy Stars
In the eighth of a 32-part series, we are featuring all National Football League teams with a prediction of where each team will finish within their division, key off-season acquisitions and their Read MoreJuly 29, 2025
Tell Us What You Think Below