Hall of Famer Nate Thurmond dies of leukemia at age 74
Hall of Fame center Nate Thurmond passed away Saturday morning after a battle with leukemia. He was 74.
Thurmond spent the majority of his playing career with the San Francisco/Golden State Warriors and, after he retired, continued his involvement with the franchise in the community relations department for more than 30 years.
"We've lost one of the most iconic figures in the history of not only our organization, but the NBA in general, with the passing of Nate Thurmond," Warriors owner Joe Lacob said in a statement. "Nate represented this franchise with class, dignity, and humility as both a player and community relations ambassador for over 40 years. ... On behalf of the entire Warriors organization, our thoughts and prayers go out to his entire family, including his wife, Marci. We'll miss his presence in his customary seats at our games next season, but his legacy will live forever."
In 964 NBA games (757 with the Warriors) between 1963 and 1977, Thurmond averaged 15 points, 15 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. Blocks weren't a recorded stat until 1973, but in the four seasons he played in which they were tallied, he averaged 2.1 per game. His rebounding average is the fifth-best mark in history, and he ranks 10th all-time in total boards. He was also the first player to register an official quadruple-double, recording 22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists, and 12 blocks as a member of the Chicago Bulls in 1974.
"Nate Thurmond was a giant of his era and one of the greatest players in the history of our game. A fierce competitor with an incredible array of skills, Nate had a remarkable Hall of Fame career that included the first quadruple-double in NBA history," commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. "We are deeply saddened by his loss."
Thurmond was named to seven All-Star games and five All-Defensive teams, and finished in the top 10 in MVP voting three times (including a second-place finish in 1967). He remains the Warriors' franchise leader in rebounds and minutes played.
Thurmond had his No. 42 jersey retired by the Warriors in 1978, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985.