Willis Reed Biography

Willis Reed Jr. was an American professional basketball player, coach, and general manager who lived from June 25, 1942, to March 21, 2023. He played his entire ten-year professional career from 1964 to 1974 with the New York Knicks in the NBA. Reed was named NBA Most Valuable Player in 1970, a year in which he also earned first-team All-NBA honors. After retiring as a player, he served as assistant and head coach for several teams and later held leadership roles with the New Jersey Nets from 1989 to 1996. He remained with the New Jersey Nets as senior vice president of basketball operations during their appearances in the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003. During his senior year of high school, Reed scored 58 points in a game while playing barefoot after his shoes were stolen. Reed was recognized as All-State in football as an end and in basketball, and he set a state record in the discus throw.