Willis Reed
(1942-2023)
Hall of Fame Induction: 1982
Card Shown:
2009-10 Panini Hall of Fame
Famed Signatures
Position: C
Height: 6’9″
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Willis Reed played all ten seasons of his NBA career with the New York Knicks. At 6’9″, Reed was undersized for a center, but his fierce determination and hard work enabled him to hold his own against bigger, stronger players. One advantage that Willis had was that he possessed a deadly mid-range jump shot that forced opposing centers to vacate the lane to guard him. Reed was a seven-time All-Star who led the Knicks to their first two NBA Championships in 1970 and 1973, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers both times.
Awards and Honors
- Reed was selected by the New York Knicks with the first pick in the second round (eighth overall) of the 1964 NBA Draft. Although nine players, including two territorial selections, were taken before him, it was Reed who ended up winning the 1964-65 NBA Rookie of the Year Award. In his first year, Willis finished with averages of 19.5 points, 14.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game.
- Willis was selected as an NBA All-Star in each of his first seven seasons in the league.
- During the 1969-70 season, Reed became the first player to win the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player, the NBA’s Most Valuable Player, and the Finals Most Valuable Player in the same year.
- Willis led the New York Knicks to two NBA Championships in 1970 and 1973 and was named Finals MVP both years. His teammates on those powerhouse Knicks teams included Hall of Fame players Bill Bradley, Dave DeBusschere, Walt Frazier, Jerry Lucas, and Earl Monroe. In both of their championship seasons, the Knicks defeated a strong Lakers team that featured Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, Jerry West and Gail Goodrich (1973 only).
- Reed was selected to the All-NBA First Team once, the All-NBA Defensive First Team once, and the All-NBA Second Team four times during his career.
- In 1996, Willis was selected as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.
Points of Interest
- Willis attended Grambling State University and averaged 26.6 points and 21.3 rebounds per game during his senior season. Reed led Grambling to an NAIA title and three conference championships in his four years at the school.
- Reed’s triumphant return for Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Lakers in 1970 helped propel the Knicks to victory and their first NBA Championship. Overcoming a torn thigh muscle, Willis hobbled onto the court for Game 7 and scored two early baskets. It was an iconic moment in the history of the NBA. Even though Reed only scored those four points in the deciding game, his courageous display inspired his Knicks teammates to the win.
- Willis ended his career with averages of 18.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game.
- A knee injury forced Reed to retire in 1974 and left Knicks fans wondering what might have been if his career had not been shortened.
- After he finished his NBA career, Reed stayed actively involved in basketball in a number of different roles. Willis served as an assistant coach at St. John’s University and head coach at Creighton University. He coached in the NBA as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Hawks and as head coach for the Knicks and the New Jersey Nets. Reed also served as general manager for the Nets and in the front office of the Knicks.
Statistics
Willis Reed Statistics
provided by Basketball-Reference.com