SAN FRANCISCO — Nate Thurmond, a Hall of Fame center and longtime Golden State Warrior, died Saturday after a short battle with leukemia. He was 74.
The Golden State Warriors announced his death.
In 1996, Thurmond was voted as one of the best 50 players in NBA history and is considered among the most-dominating centers in the game.
The 6-foot, 11-inch Thurmond spent almost 40 years playing and working for the Warriors. He played 11 of his 14 seasons with the Warriors, and then worked as a community liaison and broadcast analyst. He holds the franchise’s record for rebounds and minutes played.
He was a seven-time all-star.
The Warriors retired his number 42 in 1978.
The Warriors drafted Thurmond out of Bowling Green with the third overall pick in 1963.
PAUL ELIAS
