Professional basketball player and coach. He was a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee after playing for the Bullets franchise from 1968 to 1981. He spent his first five seasons with the Baltimore Bullets, followed by eight seasons in Washington. In 1978, he was part of the franchise's only NBA title and was named Finals MVP after the Bullets defeated the Seattle SuperSonics in seven games. He won the regular-season MVP award in 1969 and was a five-time All-Star. Unseld and Wilt Chamberlain (1960) are the only players in NBA history to win Rookie of the Year and MVP honors in the same season. At 6-foot-7 and 245 pounds, he used a strong work ethic to overcome taller players despite his bad knees. He was a tenacious rebounder and strong passer. His 13,769 career rebounds are the most by a player 6-8 or less, according to ESPN Stats & Information. During his college career, he was a two-time All-American at the University of Louisville. He averaged 20.6 points and 18.9 rebounds over his career with the Cardinals, earning him the prime draft spot right behind No. 1 selection, and future Bullets teammate, Elvin Hayes. In the NBA, he averaged 10.8 points and 14 rebounds for his career. In 1981, his No. 41 became the Washington franchise's first number to be retired. He remained with the franchise after his playing career, initially working in Washington's front office, then was head coach for nearly seven seasons from 1987 to 1994. He was also general manager from 1996 to 2003. Wes Unseld died at age 74 in 2020.
Professional basketball player and coach. He was a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee after playing for the Bullets franchise from 1968 to 1981. He spent his first five seasons with the Baltimore Bullets, followed by eight seasons in Washington. In 1978, he was part of the franchise's only NBA title and was named Finals MVP after the Bullets defeated the Seattle SuperSonics in seven games. He won the regular-season MVP award in 1969 and was a five-time All-Star. Unseld and Wilt Chamberlain (1960) are the only players in NBA history to win Rookie of the Year and MVP honors in the same season. At 6-foot-7 and 245 pounds, he used a strong work ethic to overcome taller players despite his bad knees. He was a tenacious rebounder and strong passer. His 13,769 career rebounds are the most by a player 6-8 or less, according to ESPN Stats & Information. During his college career, he was a two-time All-American at the University of Louisville. He averaged 20.6 points and 18.9 rebounds over his career with the Cardinals, earning him the prime draft spot right behind No. 1 selection, and future Bullets teammate, Elvin Hayes. In the NBA, he averaged 10.8 points and 14 rebounds for his career. In 1981, his No. 41 became the Washington franchise's first number to be retired. He remained with the franchise after his playing career, initially working in Washington's front office, then was head coach for nearly seven seasons from 1987 to 1994. He was also general manager from 1996 to 2003. Wes Unseld died at age 74 in 2020.
Bio by: Glendora
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