Wes Unseld Dies at 74
NBA Hall of Fame center Wes Unseld passed away this Tuesday. His death was confirmed by his family in a statement posted on the Washington Wizards' website; according to them, he had received a diagnoses of pneumonia among other illnesses. The location of his death was not specified. He was 74.
Wes Unseld was a premier center for the Baltimore Bullets, known today as the Washington Wizards. Despite being undersized for his position as 6-7, he was a tenacious rebounder, averaging 14 boards a game during his career. He made the all-star team five times, helped lead the Bullets to their only championship in 1978, and was one of only two players in NBA history to win MVP in his rookie season. After he retired, he joined the franchise's front office, acting as vice president, head coach, and GM. Although he played against much taller centers, such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, and Nate Thurmond, he managed to effectively contribute to his team and achieve success during his professional career. He will always be remembered for his accomplishments both on and off the court.
