Senate Resolution No. 614

BY: Senator BAILEY

MOURNING the death of Willis Reed, legendary Hall
of Fame Center for the Championship New York Knicks,
celebrated NBA All-Star, MVP, and Captain

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and pay
just tribute to the memory of those prominent individuals whose esteemed
careers in athletics and contributions to the sport of basketball have
evolved the nature of the game, and fostered cultural enrichment, not
just within their communities, but the entire State of New York; and

WHEREAS, It is with profound sorrow and deep regret that this
Legislative Body records the passing of Willis Reed, noting the
significance of his purposeful life and accomplishments; and

WHEREAS, Willis Reed, the brawny and inspirational hub of two Knicks
championship teams that captivated New York in the early 1970s with a
sharp, team-oriented style of play, died on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at
the age of 80; and

WHEREAS, Affectionally known as The Captain, Willis Reed was a
highly skilled 6-foot-10 center with a resolute physicality that was
much admired over his illustrious 10-year career with the New York
Knicks; and

WHEREAS, Truly beloved by New York fans, it was his willingness to
play hurt that brought Willis Reed his greatest measure of respect and
fame; his grittiness was never more exemplified and celebrated than on
May 8, 1970, in the decisive game of the NBA Finals, during which time
he scored two thrilling baskets in the opening minutes of Game 7,
inspiring his team and creating one of the most enduring examples of
playing through pain; and

WHEREAS, Born on June 25, 1942 in Hico, Louisiana, Willis Reed
showed athletic ability at an early age and played basketball at West
Side High School in Lillie, Louisiana, before attending Grambling State
University, a historically black college, where he amassed 2,280 career
points, averaging 26.6 points per game and 21.3 rebounds per game during
his senior year; he led the Tigers to one NAIA Title and three
Southwestern Athletic Conference Championships; and

WHEREAS, Selected by the Knicks in the second round of the 1964
Draft, Willis Reed signed with the franchise for approximately $10,000,
and quickly made a name for himself as a fierce, dominating, and
physical force on both ends of the floor; in March of 1965, he scored 46
points against the Los Angeles Lakers, the second-highest single-game
total ever by the Knicks' rookie; and

WHEREAS, In an astounding career which traversed a decade, Willis
Reed earned a place in the Knicks top 10 in nearly every category, and
was among the top three in minutes played (23,073), field goals made
(4,859), rebounds (8,414), and total points (12,183); and

WHEREAS, Willis Reed won the NBA's Most Valuable Player Award for
the 1969-70 season and was named the MVP of the championship series; he
won the Rookie of the Year Award in 1965, was voted an All-Star seven
times, and won another NBA Title and Finals MVP with the Knicks in 1973;
for his career, he averaged 18.7 points and 12.9 rebounds per game; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, he was chosen by the NBA for its 50th and 75th
Anniversary Teams, and in 1996, he was chosen by the NBA as one of its
50 greatest players; his renowned No. 19 uniform jersey, white with blue
and orange trim, was the first to be retired by the Knicks on October
21, 1976; he was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of
Fame in 1982; and

WHEREAS, Off the court, Willis Reed was a gentle giant, flashing an
easy smile and typically extending a large hand to greet friends and
acquaintances; within the Knicks organization, he was known to be
generous with teammates in an era when financial rewards in professional
sports were not as substantial as they are today; and

WHEREAS, With an enduring presence at the Garden and in New York,
Willis Reed spent his entire professional basketball career, 1964 to
1974, with the Knicks; a legend among men, he was the perfect heartbeat
of those two Knicks championship teams and possessed intangible
qualities the franchise has been unable to duplicate: heart and
inexhaustible effort; and

WHEREAS, In the game of basketball, some seasons are only worth a
moment, some moments are worth an entire season; some moments define a
career; Willis Reed made the most of his moment and will forever be
remembered as a class act, a team player, a humble winner, and a role
model for how to play the game; his ceaseless dedication to the sport of
basketball has not only been an inspiration to his countless fans, but
to his teammates with whom he shared years of tough losses and great
victories; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Willis Reed, and to express its deepest condolences
to his family; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Willis Reed.