Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame center Bob Lanier died Tuesday evening after an illness, the NBA announced. He was 73 years old.
League commissioner Adam Silver released the following statement.
“Bob Lanier was a Hall of Fame player and among the most talented centers in the history of the NBA, but his impact on the league went far beyond what he accomplished on the court. For more than 30 years, Bob served as our global ambassador and as a special assistant to David Stern and then me, traveling the world to teach the game’s values and make a positive impact on young people everywhere.