Nate Thurmond‘s legacy is sometimes overshadowed by those other giants of his time and place, Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. But when the NBA named the 50 Greatest Players to ever play the game, Thurmond was on the list. Standing 7’0″ or 6’11”, depending on the source, Thurmond had athletic gifts people a foot shorter could only dream of — and a high basketball IQ to match. He was also among the strongest men on earth in his prime.
Nate Thurmond passes away at 74. He’s the first player in @NBA history to record a quadruple-double in a game. pic.twitter.com/6O0arRswOw
— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 16, 2016
NBA commissioner Adam Silver delivered a tremendous tribute explaining Thurmond’s singular place in the NBA annals, and noting that he’d achieved the first quadruple double. Thurmond was the third pick in the 1963 NBA draft out of Bowling Green State University. He averaged 15 points and 15 rebounds per game throughout his career. He died at 74, after a brief battle with leukemia.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released the following statement regarding the passing of Nate Thurmond pic.twitter.com/Dyy6ul4kWr
— NBA (@NBA) July 16, 2016
We are saddened by the passing of a true Warriors Legend. Rest in Peace, Nate Thurmond. pic.twitter.com/4JT9aftJlg
— GoldenStateWarriors (@warriors) July 16, 2016
