Nate Thurmond dies at age 74

Nate Thurmond, a Hall of Fame center and longtime Golden State Warrior, died Saturday after a short battle with leukemia.

He led Cleveland to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

Thurmond made the NBA’s All-Rookie team as the Warriors made the Finals in 1963-64, and he was pressed into service in the pivot (making the first of his All-Star Game appearances along the way) the next season when Chamberlain was dealt back to Philadelphia. He was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 1985 and was named to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary Team in 1996.

The 6-foot, 11-inch Thurmond was voted as one of the best 50 players in National Basketball Association history and is considered among the most-dominating centers in the game.

Thurmond soon began playing the forward position, with Chamberlain at centre, before the Warriors traded Chamberlain in 1965 and Thurmond replaced him at centre. He averaged 15 points and 15 rebounds per game throughout his career. In 1974, Thurmond set an National Basketball Association milestone when he became the first player to record an official quadruple double with points, rebounds, assists and blocks.

After retirement, Thurmond returned to San Francisco and opened a restaurant, Big Nate’s BBQ, after a brief attempt at broadcasting.

Thurmond had 12,771 rebounds in his Warriors career, 2,003 more than the next man, Chamberlain. Abdul-Jabbar called the 6-foot-11 Thurmond the best defender he faced. He is one of only four players to grab more than 40 rebounds in a game. Affable off the court, he worked for more than 30 years as a Golden State ambassador, a role he maintained even as his health faltered.

“We are very saddened by the loss of Nate Thurmond”, Cavs Director of Alumni Relations and Thurmond’s teammate and friend Campy Russell said in a statement posted to the Cavaliers” website. “R.I.P Akron’s own Nate Thurmond”. One for All, ‘ code.

“Just as Nate always held the Miracle team, the Coliseum crowds and his local roots dear to him, the Cavaliers franchise will always love and respect him as a true Cavalier legend. We extend our deepest condolences to Nate’s wife, Marci, and their family during this hard time”.