New York — Hall of Fame center and former Piston Bob Lanier has died after a short illness at age 73, the NBA says.
Lanier averaged 20.1 points and 10.1 rebounds in 14 NBA seasons.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement:
“Bob Lanier was a Hall of Fame player and among the most talented centers in the history of the NBA, but his impact on the league went far beyond what he accomplished on the court. For more than 30 years, Bob served as our global ambassador and as a special assistant to David Stern and then me, traveling the world to teach the game’s values and make a positive impact on young people everywhere.