Hall of Famer Nate Thurmond, who was voted one of the top 50 players in NBA history, has passed away at age 74 in San Francisco after a battle with leukemia. The Golden State Warriors, with whom he was a member of the franchise for more than 40 years as a player and community relations ambassador, made the announcement this morning.
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One of the greatest big men to ever play the game, Thurmond was named a seven-time All-Star and five-time NBA all-defensive team selection over his 15-season career.
Thurmond spent most of his career with the Warriors, averaging 17.4 points and 16.9 rebounds during the 11 years he called the Bay Area home.
His Warriors jersey #42 was retired on March 8, 1978, one of six players to have his number retired by the Warriors along with Alvin Attles (#16), Rick Barry (#24), Wilt Chamberlain (#13), Tom Meschery (#14) and Chris Mullin (#17). He was inducted into the hall of fame in 1985.
Former NBA great and current Warriors board member, Jerry West, issued the following statement regarding Thurmond’s passing.
This is an extremely difficult day for me. We have lost an incredible person and someone whom I admired as much as any player I ever went to battle against on any level. Nate Thurmond was, without a doubt, one of the fiercest competitors that I played against during my entire career. He played with unbelievable intensity and was simply a man among boys on most nights, especially on the defensive end. On the other hand, off the court, Nate was about as caring and loving as they come, extremely kind and gentle. He was the total package as an athlete and as a man and someone we should all aspire to emulate. I’ll miss him dearly.”
Our condolences go out to Nate Thurmond’s family and friends. For the young players out there it wouldn’t hurt to go searching for some of Thurmond’s old games and see just how good he was and learn from it.
