Wes Unseld obit

NBA Hall of Famer Wes Unseld dies at 74

He was not on the list.



Wes Unseld, the burly Hall of Famer who led the then-Washington Bullets to the franchise's only NBA championship, died Tuesday morning, his family said in a statement. He was 74.

Unseld's family said he passed away surrounded by relatives and following lengthy health battles, most recently with pneumonia.

"He was the rock of our family -- an extremely devoted patriarch who reveled in being with his wife, children, friends and teammates," his family wrote. "He was our hero and loved playing and working around the game of basketball for the cities of Baltimore and Washington D.C., cities he proudly wore on his chest for so many years."

Selected with the second overall pick in the 1968 draft by the Baltimore Bullets, Unseld made an immediate impact and changed the fortunes of the franchise -- now known as the Washington Wizards.

In his first season in Baltimore, he guided the team to a 57-25 record -- 21 more wins than the prior year -- and led the Bullets to their first-ever playoff appearance.

Averaging 13.8 points and 18.2 rebounds per game his rookie season, Unseld won both the Rookie of the Year and regular season Most Valuable Player awards, becoming the second NBA player after Wilt Chamberlain to capture both awards in the same season.

Known for his rebounding and great outlet passes, Unseld led Baltimore to five consecutive playoff appearances, which continued after the franchise moved to Washington -- technically, the Maryland suburbs -- in 1973. The Bullets made 12 straight playoff appearances and four NBA Finals during his career. Over this time the five-time All-Star averaged 10.8 points, 14.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists.

His biggest moment came in 1978, when he and Hall of Famer Elvin Hayes led the Bullets to the NBA championship, defeating the Seattle SuperSonics in seven games. Unseld was named the Finals' Most Valuable Player.

"We all admired Wes as the pillar of this franchise for so long, but it was his work off the court that will truly leave an impactful legacy and live on through the many people he touched and influenced throughout his life of basketball and beyond," said Ted Leonsis, Chairman & CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, owner of the Wizards.

In 1981, Unseld's No. 41 was retired and his is now one of five Bullets/Wizards jerseys hanging in the rafters at Capital One Arena in Washington.

After retiring from the NBA, Unseld remained with the Bullets, first working in the front office and then coaching the team. He won 202 games, the second-most in franchise history.

In 1988 Unseld was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He was voted a top 50 player in league history in 1996.

"His physical prowess, undeniable talent and on-court demeanor may have struck fear in opponents throughout the NBA but he will be remembered best as a mentor, leader and friend," Washington Wizards General Manager Tommy Sheppard said.

So sorry to hear of the passing of former Washington Bullet legend and HOFer Wes Unseld! He always treated me and my family, as well as every other person he encountered, with genuine respect. He is the epitome of a gentle giant. A mountain of a man with a huge heart. #RIPWes – Timothy Legler

Wes Unseld was one of the finest people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. He was my friend, my Kentucky homeboy, and my coach. Heartbreaking.  The gentlest of giants. Rest, Wes. – Rex Chapman

Rest In Peace to my first NBA Coach Wes Unseld. A great basketball player and an even better man. My thoughts and prayers are with the Unseld family. - Gheorghe Muresan

Proud to be named after such a great man. A Legend and a Leader. Wes, you will be missed by the NBA family and all people who’s lives you touched. Rest In Peace. – Kevin Love

Unseld’s son, Wes Jr., currently works for the Denver Nuggets as an assistant coach. Nuggets President of Basketball Operations Tim Connelly penned a letter in memory of Unseld, saying that “beyond the gruff voice, vice grip hands, and constant smart comments, lied a man who cared so deeply for his family and his community.”

Dan Issel, a Hall of Famer in his own right, who played against Unseld at the college and professional level, said: “Wes Unseld was a warrior! He was the shortest starting center in the NBA and was also the toughest. So sound fundamentally – when he blocked you out, he would put you in the third row…Wes will always be the greatest U of L Cardinal.”

One of the all time gr8 outlet passers in the ⁦@NBA⁩  WES UNSELD has just passed at 74 . Years ago he came to my camp in North Jersey & gave one of the best lectures on rebounding to the campers .Stayed & took pics with all . A super guy RIP Wes – Dick Vitale

Phil Chenier and Bobby Dandridge were both members of the 1978 Bullets team that won the NBA championship. Chenier played with Unseld for nine seasons, while Dandridge knew him both as a teammate and rival. They each spoke glowingly about the larger-than-life character that Unseld was and shared tales of him battling other greats of his time like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

But the part of Unseld's life they kept coming back to was his decades-long work running a private school in southwest Baltimore, MD. Unseld and his wife, Connie, started a private school called the Unselds School that still operates today.

"His contribution to the Baltimore community, the education and development of kids were greater than any rebound or shot that he ever made," Dandridge said. "They have developed many young kids in the inner city parts of Baltimore."

A guy willing to do anything for the people around him that he loved, respected, been around, played with," Chenier added. "[Connie] is so proud of that school and she said Wes is equally as proud. Wes evidentally was like the jack of all trades over there. He was the janitor, the security person, the maintenance man; he did it all. And he did it proudly and humbly, and I think it speaks to the character."

Former team owner Irene Pollin (wife of Abe Pollin) added, "Since 1968, Wes was the broad shoulders upon which are team was built."

His notable teammates were: Gus Johnson, Earl Monroe, Kevin Loughery, Fred Carter, Jack Marin, Jim Barnes, Phil Chenier, Mike Riordan, Archie Clark, Elvin Hayes, Kevin Porter, Dave Bing, Leonard “Truck” Robinson, Mitch Kupchak, Kevin Grevey, Bob Danridge, Greg Ballard, Dave Corzine, Jim Cleamons, Austin Carr and Rick Mahorn.

Some of his coaches were: Gene Shue, K. C. Jones and Dick Motta.

Wes Unseld is survived by his wife Connie of 50 years, daughter Kimberly, son Wes Jr. and his two grandchildren.