After a battle with leukemia, Warriors legend Nate Thurmond has passed away. He was 74.
A seven-time All-Star, Thurmond was drafted by the San Francisco Warriors in 1963. The 6-foot-11 Bowling Green alum was quickly recognized alongside his teammate Wilt Chamberlain as one of the best big men in basketball.
Thurmond was best known for his rebounding, where his 14,464 boards check in for 10th all-time in NBA history, just a notch behind Kevin Garnett. He’s one of only five players to average 15 rebounds throughout his entire career. Thurmond was also known as a staunch defender, often shutting down the likes of Bill Russell and Kareem Abdul-Jabar.
Nate Thurmond was called by Kareem as the best defender he faced, made All-Defensive 1st or 2nd Team five times. pic.twitter.com/YTNz9HCvx2
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 16, 2016
Thurmond was the first-ever player to record a quadruple-double in 1974, totaling 22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists, and 12 blocked shots in 45 minutes. The Warriors traded Thurmond to the Chicago Bulls in 1974 and he finished his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1977.
Born in 1941 in Akron, Ohio, Thurmond was elected to the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2006. His No. 42 jersey is retired by the Warriors.
