Moses Malone, considered among the greatest players in NBA history, has died. The former Philadelphia 76er and three-time NBA MVP was 60.
Malone died Sunday morning in Norfolk, Virginia, where he was set to play a celebrity golf tournament. He was found in his hotel room after he did not show up at the event, reports ESPN.
The medical examiner’s office told TMZ that the cause of death was hypertension and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Malone, who was nicknamed the “Chairman of the Boards,” was a member of the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame and named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history. He played in 20 seasons for eight NBA teams, including the Houston Rockets, 76ers and Atlanta Hawks. In 1983, he was a member of the Sixers team that won the NBA Finals title and was named Finals MVP.
The 12-time All-Star still has the fifth-most rebounds all-time with 16,212 and is eighth on the all-time points list with 27,409. He holds records for most offensive rebounds in a career, season and single game.
“The man I called 'Dad' passed today. Words can't explain my sadness. I will never know why a Hall of Famer took a fat, lazy kid from Auburn and treated him like a son and got him in shape and made him a player,” Charles Barkley said in a statement. “Every time I saw him I called him 'Dad.' I hope he knew how much I appreciated and loved him."
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said that they are “stunned and deeply saddened” by his death. “Even more than his prodigious talent, we will miss his friendship, his generosity, his exuberant personality, and the extraordinary work ethic he brought to the game throughout his 21-year pro career. Our thoughts are with Moses’ family and friends during this difficult time,” Silver said.
Malone’s death comes shortly after the death of another Sixers great, Darryl Dawkins.
screenshot from NBA YouTube video