NBA Hall of Famer Wes Unseld Passes Away

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – NBA Hall of Famer Wes Unseld passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 74.

On a national scale, Unseld was best known for his illustrious professional career, in which he led the Washington Bullets to the franchise’s only NBA Championship in 1978.

The 6’7″ Center also claimed league MVP honors as a rookie in 1969 and was a five-time All-Star during his 13-year career.

Here in the Commonwealth, though, Unseld is recognized for much more.

The Louisville-native starred on a Seneca High School team that claimed back-to-back Kentucky state championships in 1963 and 1964 and was the first ever African-American athlete to be offered an athletic scholarship to the University of Kentucky.

Unseld turned down the offer from legendary coach Adolph Rupp, however, and instead elected to attend the University of Louisville. In his final three seasons, he led the Cardinals to a 60-22 overall record and racked up NCAA All-American honors in 1967 and 1968.

According to his family, Unseld suffered from health issues and recently battled pneumonia.