BEND, Ore. (AP) Darrall Imhoff, the former University of California and U.S. Olympic champion center who played 12 seasons in the NBA, has died. He was 78.
The Portland Trail Blazers said Saturday that Imhoff died Friday in Bend of a heart attack.
Imhoff led the Pete Newell-coached Golden Bears to the 1959 NCAA title and played alongside Oscar Robertson and Jerry West on the 1960 Olympic team – also coached by Newell.
Nicknamed ”The Ax” for his physical play, Imhoff was selected third overall by the New York Knicks in the 1960 NBA draft – behind Robertson and West – and averaged 7.