NBA, HBCU Legend Willis Reed Dies at 80

Willis Reed had legendary careers at Grambling State and with the New York Knicks.

Kyle T. Mosley | Mar 21, 2023

NBA, HBCU Legend Willis Reed Dies at 80 /

HOUSTON - Willis Reed was an NBA and HBCU legend with an incredibly successful basketball career that began at Grambling State University, where he played from 1960 to 1964. On Tuesday, March 21, Reed passed at the age of 80.

Reed became the first player in Grambling's history to score over 1,000 points in his collegiate career, finishing with 2,280 points and 1,043 rebounds.

The Hico, Louisiana native was a powerful figure on the court, leading Grambling to a 29-3 record in his senior year and a spot in the NCAA tournament.

He averaged 26.6 points and 21.3 rebounds per game during that season, earning him the first-ever NAIA Player of the Year award.

Reed's impressive performance at Grambling caught the attention of the New York Knicks, who selected him as the eighth overall pick in the 1964 NBA Draft.

His storied NBA career included two NBA Championships with the Knicks while earning numerous honors and accolades, including the NBA Finals MVP in 1970.

The center evolved into an NBA legend playing for the New York Knicks from 1964 to 1974. He stood at 6-9, but was a physical player with the ability to create his own shots and block shots of contemporaries like Wilt Chamberlain, Wes Unseld, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

In his rookie year, Reed quickly was a Knicks leader averaging 19.5 points and 14.7 rebounds per game and earning NBA Rookie of the Year honors. He was a seven-time NBA All-Star, a five-time All-NBA selection, and a two-time NBA Finals MVP.

One of the most memorable moments of Reed's career came in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals when he famously limped onto the court despite a severe thigh injury and helped lead the Knicks to victory over the heavily favored Los Angeles Lakers. Reed's heroics earned him the NBA Finals MVP award, cementing his place in basketball lore.

Reed retired in 1974 after ten seasons, and 728 (regular season + playoffs) game appearances with the Knicks, finishing his career with averages of 18.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, 1.1 blocks per game. He gained enshrinement into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982.

NBA writers voted him as one of the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History" in 1996. and will forever be knowns as one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history.

Published Mar 21, 2023

KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019. Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four. My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances: WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert), KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews: Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns. For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me: