NBA Legend Nate Thurmond Passes Away At 74

Thurmond died at the age of 74 yesterday, July 16, 2016 after a short battle with leukemia. 

Nathaniel "Nate" Thurmond born in July 25, 1941 was an American basketball player best known for his career with the Golden State Warriors. Dominant at both center and power forward, he was a seven-time All-Star and the first player in NBA history to record an official quadruple-double. He is also only one of three players, along with Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell, to grab more than 40 rebounds in one NBA game.

Thurmond remains one of the best rebounders and shot blockers ever, named both a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

Known to fans as "Nate the Great" Thurmond has had his #42 jersey retired by both the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers franchises.

He played for: Golden State/San Francisco Warriors, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers

After retirement, Thurmond returned to San Francisco and opened a restaurant, Big Nate's BBQ, after a brief attempt at broadcasting. He sold the restaurant after 20 years, while living in San Francisco with his wife, Marci. He was given the title "Warriors Legend & Ambassador" by the Warriors organization.

The Warriors' team president, Joe Lacob, released a statement following Thurman's death:

"We've lost one of the most iconic figures in the history of not only our organization, but the NBA in general."

And LeBron himself tweeted a very poignant message about it (below):

Damn man!!! R.I.P Akron's own Nate Thurmond. Knowing u played in the same rec league as me growing up gave me hope of making it out! Thanks!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 16, 2016

Sad! RIP