Sam Lacey obit

Former NBA player Sam Lacey dies at 66

He was not on the list.


Sam Lacey, a former NBA All-Star center who spent most of his 13-year career with the Kansas City Kings, has died. He was 66.

The Sacramento Kings, where the franchise relocated in 1985, said they did not know the cause of death.

In a statement released through the team Wednesday, Kings general manager Pete D'Alessandro called Lacey "one of the finest and longest-tenured players to ever don a Kings uniform."

He said "Sam's prolific legacy is evident throughout franchise lore, where he ranks first in games played, rebounds, blocks and steals. He was also known as a tireless worker and a wonderful teammate. He will be greatly missed and forever remembered for his contributions on the game of basketball and in life."

Lacey was drafted fifth overall by the Cincinnati Royals in 1970 after a stellar career at New Mexico State where he was coached by Lou Henson and teammate of Jimmy Collins. The franchise became the Kansas City-Omaha Kings in 1972-73, and later just the Kansas City Kings before the 1975-76 season.

Lacey made his only All-Star appearance in 1975. He averaged 10.3 points and 9.7 rebounds in his career, which ended after the 1982-83 season with Cleveland. Lacey's No. 44 jersey has been retired by the Kings and hangs in the rafters at Sacramento's arena.

Lacey was drafted in the first round (fifth overall) of the 1970 NBA draft by the Cincinnati Royals. He played 13 seasons (1970–1983) in the National Basketball Association as a member of the Royals, Kansas City Kings, New Jersey Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers. He averaged over 10 rebounds per game in his first six seasons, and was the NBA's third leading rebounder in the 1974–75 season. Lacey's most productive NBA season came in 1973–74 when he averaged 14.2 points and 13.4 rebounds per game. He was named an All-Star in 1975, and finished the season averaging 11.5 points, 14.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game.

Lacey is one of only five NBA players (along with Hakeem Olajuwon, Julius Erving, David Robinson and Ben Wallace) to have registered 100 blocks and 100 steals in six consecutive seasons. His #44 jersey was retired by the Sacramento Kings. He is also one of three NBA players (along with Wes Unseld and Reggie Evans) to total at least 30 rebounds and fewer than 10 points in the first two games of the season.

He was teammates with Ron Boone, Scott Wedman, Nate Archibald, Tom Van Arsdale, Jimmy Walker, Ron Behagan, Mike D'Antoni, Otis Birdsong, Buck Williams and Mike Gminski. He was coached by Larry Brown, Bob Cousy and others.