NBA: Basketball Legend Moses Malone Dies

Basketball Hall of Famer Moses Malone has died at the age of 60, the Philadelphia 76ers announced Sunday.

It is with a deep sense of sadness that the Sixers family mourns the sudden loss of Moses Malone. 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.

No one person has ever conveyed more with so few words including three of the most iconic in this city's history. His generosity, towering personality and incomparable sense of humor will truly be missed. We will keep his family in our thoughts and prayers and as we are once again reminded of the preciousness of life.


NBA Commissioner Adam Silver also released a statement:

Calvin Murphy, Malone's teammate in Houston from 1976 to 1982, told reporters about Malone's passing, according to Mark Berman of Fox 26 in Houston:


Malone played for nine different teams over 21 seasons in the NBA and ABA, though he's best known for his four-year stint with the 76ers from 1982-83 to 1985-86. The Chairman of the Boards was named MVP of the 1983 NBA Finals, in which he averaged 25.8 points and 18.0 rebounds over four games against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Upon hearing of Malone's death, Reggie Miller offered his condolences while referencing that 1983 title team:


Allen Iverson tweeted his condolences to Malone's loved ones:

Malone led the NBA in rebounds per game six times, including five consecutive years from 1980-81 to 1984-85. He averaged at least 20 points per game in 11 straight seasons from 1978-79 to 1988-89, won three NBA MVP awards and was a 13-time All-Star (12 times in the NBA).

ESPN's Chris Broussard shared his thoughts on Malone's legacy:

Howard Eskin of Fox 29 in Philadelphia shared a throwback photo he took with Malone after the star center came to the 76ers:

After Malone's playing career ended in 1995, he was named one of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players in 1996 and to the ABA All-Time Team in 1997. He was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001.

Though he died too young, Malone left a basketball legacy that few people in the history of the sport can match. He will forever be remembered as one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century.