Hall of Fame basketball coach Jack Ramsay has died. He was 89 years old.
According to ESPN, the network for which Ramsay worked after his
successful coaching career, the long-time NBA and college mentor died in
his sleep Monday in Florida after a long battle with cancer.
The
Philadelphia native landed his first NBA head coaching job with the
76ers in 1968, after helping build the team's 1966-67 championship
squad as general manager, and spent four seasons guiding his hometown
team. He also coached the Buffalo Braves, Portland Trail Blazers and
Indiana Pacers in a 21-year career.
Ramsay won an NBA title in
1977 with Portland, beating the 76ers. He had an overall record of
864-783 with 17 playoff appearances.
"The Portland Trail Blazers
and indeed the NBA have lost an authentic original in Dr. Jack
Ramsay," said Trail Blazers Owner Paul Allen. "In leading this
franchise to its first NBA championship, Dr. Jack set a standard of
excellence for his players, coaches and all who crossed his path. He
was that rarest of men with a unique style that was inspirational
and motivational about basketball and life itself. We loved him as a
coach, as a broadcaster and as a human being."
Prior to his NBA
career, Ramsay coached at his alma mater, Saint Joseph's, for 11
seasons. The Hawks were 234-72 with seven NCAA Tournament appearances
from 1955-66 under Ramsay, reaching the school's only Final Four in
1961.
"Dr. Jack Ramsay was a legendary figure in
Philadelphia and a man whose passion and contributions to this city
and the game of basketball will long be remembered," said Sixers Chief
Executive Officer Scott O'Neil. "He left an indelible mark on the
basketball community -- from the Big 5 to our organization and
throughout his storied career within the NBA -- and was a friend and
mentor to those who knew him, both on- and off-the-court. On behalf of
the Sixers organization, we truly mourn the loss and send our
deepest condolences to the entire Ramsay family."
Ramsay retired
as the second-winningest coach in NBA history and later had a long
basketball broadcasting career. He was inducted into the Naismith
Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992.
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