Willis Reed

Willis Reed was a key player for the New York Knicks during his basketball career. Reed was never drafted to a different team, spending his whole career with the Knicks. When Reed was first drafted, the Knicks were not doing well. He helped to bring the team back to the championships.

During his college years, he played for Grambling State. Reed scored many points and gained many awards; one of which was the NAIA Title, as well as three Southwestern Athletic Conference Championships.

Reed helped to turn the Knick's losses into wins in 1964, making the Knicks a formidable team. He was a bit short compared to other players, at 6 feet 9 inches; but he made up for this by playing a tough game. In 1964, he was the NBA Rookie of the Year. One thing that helped Reed, is when Dave DeBusschere began playing. He played tough like Reed, but he also opened the door for Reed to go back to center position, which he liked best. As he once said, “Center is my position”. During the 1969 season, they won a record 60 games, eighteen in a row.

He played until a knee injury slowed him down in 1971-72. He was only able to play 11 games that season. He still played and won, but finally in 1973, he retired and began coaching. He was the first player to be the MVP All-Star, the regular MVP, and the playoff MVP all in the same year. His number 19 jersey was the first one ever retired by the Knicks. In 1982, he was inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame. His playing certainly changed the course of the Knicks, as well as the many players that came after him.