Willis Reed, Jr

Willis Reed was an American professional basketball player and coach in the National Basketball Association. He played for the New York Knicks from 1964 to 1974. He also coached for various teams in the NBA, including the Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, and the New Jersey Nets.

He also helped lead the Knicks to two NBA Championships, winning in 1970 and 1973. Both times, he was named the NBA Finals MVP. He was also named the 1970 NBA Most Valuable Player and the NBA All-Star Game MVP. Reed was also named an NBA All-Star seven times in his career.

Player Profile and Personal Life

Willis Reed Jr. was born on June 25, 1942, in Lincoln Parish, Louisiana in the United States of America. He stood 208 cm tall and his weight was last listed at 107 kg. He was left-handed and he played center and power forward.

He showed athletic prowess at an early age. He was married twice.

Reed died on March 21, 2023, at the age of 80. The cause of death was listed as heart failure. Announcements of his death were made by the New York Knicks organization and by the National Basketball Retired Players Association.

High School and College Career

He attended West Side High School in Lillie, Louisiana. Later, he committed to play college basketball for Grambling State University and was there from 1960 to 1964.

Professional Career

Reed turned pro in 1964 when he was chosen in the second round of the 1964 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks. He would play his entire NBA Career with the Knicks.

In his first year with the NBA, he was named the NBA Rookie of the Year for 1965. He was also named to that year’s NBA All-Rookie Team.

1970 was one of the best years of his career. This year, he helped the Knicks to win the NBA Championship, the first in his career. That year, he was also named the NBA Finals MVP, NBA Most Valuable Player, NBA All-Star Game MVP, All-NBA First Team, and the All-NBA Defensive First Team.

He would help the Knicks win a second NBA Championship in 1973. That year, he would again be named the NBA Finals MVP.

He retired from playing in 1974. When he did, the Knicks retired jersey number 19 in his honor. He was also later named to the 50th and 75th NBA Anniversary Teams.

He is widely known as one of the greatest Knicks ever with the likes of Patrick Ewing and Walt Frazier. He has also been named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the College Basketball Hall of Fame.

Career Highlights

• 1970, 1973 - NBA champion
• 1970, 1973 - NBA Finals MVP
• 1970 - NBA Most Valuable Player
• 1965–1971 - NBA All-Star
• 1970 - NBA All-Star Game MVP
• 1970 - All-NBA First Team
• 1967–1969, 1971 - All-NBA Second Team
• 1970 - NBA All-Defensive First Team
• 1965 - NBA Rookie of the Year
• 1965 - NBA All-Rookie Team

• NBA anniversary team (50th, 75th)
• No. 19 retired by New York Knicks

Career NBA Statistics

• Points - 12,183 (18.7 ppg)
• Rebounds - 8,414 (12.9 rpg)
• Assists - 1,186 (1.8 apg)

• Basketball Hall of Fame as a player, 1982
• College Basketball Hall of Fame, 2006

Medal record, representing the United States

• Gold - 1963 Pan American Games São Paulo

Team History:

As a coach:

• 1977–1978 – New York Knicks
• 1981–1985 - Creighton
• 1985–1987 – Atlanta Hawks (assistant)
• 1987–1988 – Sacramento Kings (assistant)