Entertainment Sports NBA Hall of Famer and Knicks Legend Willis Reed Dead at 80: 'Champion Among Champions' Reed won two titles with the New York Knicks and is considered one of the best players to ever wear the franchise's uniform By Jason Hahn Jason Hahn Jason Hahn is a former Human Interest and Sports Reporter for PEOPLE. He started at PEOPLE's Los Angeles Bureau as a writer and reporter in 2017 and interviewed the likes of Kobe Bryant, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Brady. He has a B.A. in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. He previously worked for Complex Magazine in New York City. People Editorial Guidelines Published on March 21, 2023 04:42 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Willis Reed. Photo: Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty NBA Hall of Famer Willis Reed, who won two championships with the New York Knicks, has died at the age of 80, the team said Tuesday. "The Knicks organization is deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Captain, Willis Reed," the Knicks said in a statement on social media. "As we mourn, we will always strive to uphold the standards he left behind — the unmatched leadership, sacrifice and work ethic that personified him as a champion among champions." "His is a legacy that will live forever," they continued. "We ask everyone to please respect the family's privacy during this difficult time." The Knicks did not share his cause of death. In a tweet, basketball columnist Peter Vecsey said Reed "suffered from congestive heart problems over the past year or so and was going through rehab to walk." Felton Spencer, Former Louisville Standout and NBA Vet, Dead at 55 Willis Reed. Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty According to ESPN, Reed's 10-year NBA career from 1964 to 1974 was spent entirely with the Knicks. He averaged nearly 19 points and 13 rebounds per game. Knicks fans may remember Reed's career-defining moment in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals. After missing the previous game due to a thigh injury, Reed stunned fans by walking onto the Madison Square Garden court during warmups to face the Los Angeles Lakers. Footage of the moment was re-shared on social media on Tuesday. NBA Referee Tony Brown Dies of Pancreatic Cancer at 55: 'Great Ref But Greater Dude,' Says LeBron James Willis Reed. Scott Gries/Getty "When Willis Reed came out on the court, I thought my ears were going to explode," Spike Lee recalled to the New York Times in 2020. "Both teams were on the court doing their layup lines, and when Willis came out, the entire Los Angeles Laker team stopped and turned around." As ESPN notes, Reed scored the Knicks' first two field goals for the team and was named Finals MVP. Two seasons later, Reed was named Finals MVP once again after the Knicks earned their second title. RELATED VIDEO: Legacy: In The Shadow of Greatness Exclusive Clip – Dwyane and Zaire Wade Per CBS Sports, Reed's No. 19 jersey was retired by the Knicks, and he was elected to both the NBA's 50th- and 75th-anniversary teams. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980, and the winner of the NBA's Southwest Division is awarded a trophy named after Reed.