Warriors Legend Nate Thurmond Dies

SAN FRANCISCO - One of the 50 greatest NBA players ever and a Golden State Warriors legend died Saturday in San Francisco, officials with the Golden State Warriors said.

Nate Thurmond died of leukemia. He was 74.

Thurmond was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1985 after 11 seasons with the Warriors, more than a year with the Chicago Bulls and more than a season with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"Big Nate" became the first player to record a quadruple double in a game, scoring 22 points, grabbing 14 rebounds, making 13 assists and blocking 12 shots when the Chicago Bulls played the Atlanta Hawks on Oct. 18, 1974.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement, "Nate Thurmond was a giant of his era and one of the greatest players in the history of our game. Nate brought the same passion to his longtime community relations role with the Golden State Warriors, who benefited from his deep knowledge of the game and warmth and kindness to everyone he encountered for more than 30 years. We are deeply saddened by his loss."

Both the Warriors and Cavaliers retired Thurmond's jersey after a career that included seven times as an All-Star and averages of 15 points and 15 rebounds per game, Warriors officials said.

After the 1967-68 season, Thurmond joined Wilt Chamberlain as the only Warrior to average at least 20 points and 20 rebounds in season. Thurmond averaged 20.5 points and 22 rebounds that year, according to Warriors officials.

Warriors' owner Joe Lacob said in a statement, "We've lost one of the most iconic figures in the history of not only our organization, but the NBA in general, with the passing of Nate Thurmond. Nate represented this franchise with class, dignity and humility as both a player and community relations ambassador for over 40 years."

In his statement, Lacob called Thurmond a Hall of Fame Player and a Hall of Fame person, which is why Thurmond's No. 42 jersey hangs from the rafters in Oracle Arena.

Thurmond is one of only six players to have their number retired by the Warriors. The others include No. 16 Alvin Attles, No. 24 Rick Barry, No. 13 Wilt Chamberlain, No. 14 Tom Meschery and No. 17 Chris Mullin.

The Warriors selected Thurmond third overall in the 1963 NBA Draft after a college career at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio.

Thurmond's friend and Cavaliers teammate Campy Russell said in a statement, "We are very saddened by the loss of Nate Thurmond. Nate's Jersey hangs in the rafters at The Q because of the unselfish way the Akron native and Hall of Famer approached the game we all love."

Alvin Attles said in a statement, "Although I had prepared for this news for the past several days, I was heartbroken and devastated when I was informed of Nate's death earlier today. Looking back, he was as ferocious as any player in the history of the game on the court, but one of then kindest and nicest souls in everyday life."

-Bay City News, image via Corey Carter/Flickr