Basketball legend Moses Malone died on Sunday, the NBA confirmed.
The cause of the
60-year-old's death wasn't immediately released, but league statements
suggested it was sudden and unexpected.
"We are
stunned and deeply saddened by the passing of Hall of Famer Moses Malone, an
NBA legend gone far too soon," said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
Malone was the
first player in the modern era to go pro right after high school, when he was
drafted by the Utah Stars of the ABA in 1974.
The 12-time
All-Star and three-time Most Valuable Player played for nine teams over his
21-year career, most notably for the Houston Rockets and the Philadelphia
76ers, which he led to a championship in 1983.
The NBA named
Malone one of its 50 best players of all time in 1996, and enshrined him in the
Hall of Fame five years later.
"It is with
a deep sense of sadness that the Sixers family mourns the sudden loss of Moses
Malone," 76ers CEO Scott O'Neil said Sunday. "It is difficult to
express what his contributions to this organization -- both as a friend and
player -- have meant to us, the city of Philadelphia and his faithful fans.
Moses holds a special place in our hearts and will forever be remembered as a
genuine icon and pillar of the most storied era in the history of Philadelphia
76ers basketball."
The 6-foot-10-inch big man earned the moniker "Chairman of
the Boards" for his rebounding prowess, leading the league in the category
six times.
"He was
among the most dominant centers ever to play the game and one of the best
players in the history of the NBA," said Silver.
Malone, who made
more free throws than any other player in history, retired during the 1994-95
season as a member of the San Antonio Spurs.
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