On Tuesday, the basketball world lost one of its greats. Willis Reed, a Hall of Fame center who helped the New York Knicks win two championships during the 1970s, passed away at the age of 80.
Reed was born in Hico, Louisiana on June 25th, 1942. He attended Grambling State University and was drafted by the Knicks in 1964. During his 10-year career with the Knicks, Reed made seven All-Star appearances and won two NBA titles in 1970 and 1973. He was named NBA MVP in 1970 and Finals MVP in both championship seasons.
Reed’s most memorable moment came during Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers when he limped onto the court despite an injured thigh muscle to inspire his team to victory. The iconic moment has been immortalized as one of the greatest moments in sports history and is often referred to as “The Willis Reed Game”.
Reed retired from playing after the 1974 season but remained with the Knicks organization for many years afterwards as a coach and general manager. He was inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982 and his number 19 jersey was retired by the Knicks in 2009.
In addition to his basketball accomplishments, Reed also served as a mentor for young players throughout his career, offering guidance and advice on how to succeed both on and off the court. His impact on basketball will be remembered for generations to come.
Willis Reed will forever be remembered as one of basketball’s all-time greats; an inspiration to players everywhere who embodied what it means to be a champion both on and off the court. His legacy will live on through those he mentored throughout his lifetime and through future generations of fans who continue to celebrate his incredible achievements.
