NBA champ, hall of famer Unseld dies at 74

Former NBA Hall of Fame center Wes Unseld died Tuesday. He was 74.

Unseld, who led the league’s Washington franchise to its only NBA championship, reportedly has several health issues at the time of his death, including pneumonia. 

Unseld’s death was announced by his family through the Washington Wizards. The 6-foot-7, 245-pound center was known for his yeoman-like work and the ubiquitous elastic brace on his left knee.  

Unseld was chosen as one of the 50 greatest players in league history, according to the Associated Press. He was also one of only two NBA players to win MVP and Rookie of the Year honors in the same season.

“I never played pretty,” Unseld, known for his rebounding and passing, said when elected to the Hall of Fame in 1988. “I wasn’t flashy. My contributions were in the things most people don’t notice. They weren’t in high scoring or dunking or behind-the-back passes.”

Unseld was born in Louisville, Kentucky, where he won two state championships before attending the University of Louisville.