LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Wes Unseld, one of the greatest basketball players from Louisville and the second player named NBA rookie of the year and MVP the same season, died this morning in Maryland.
The Washington Wizards, the franchise that Unseld joined 52 years ago, made the announcement on Twitter Tuesday morning. Unseld was 74.
Unseld started carving his Hall of Fame career at Seneca High School in Louisville, by teamming with Mike Redd to lead Seneca to back-to-back state titles in 1963 and 1964.
Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp tried to recruit Unseld to break the color line in the Southeastern Conference and play for the Wildcats, but Unseld stayed home to play for Peck Hickman and the Cardinals.
Unseld delivered a remarkable career in Freedom Hall, setting the school scoring mark with 1,685 points and 1,581 rebounds. His 45-point game against Georgetown remains the U of L single-game scoring record and his point total, earned in only three seasons, ranks 11th.
Teaming with his close friend Butch Beard of Breckinridge County, Unseld led Louisville to as high as No. 2 in the national rankings.
Unseld was named a consensus all-American in 1967 and 1968. U of L retired his trademark No. 31 jersey.
Although only 6 feet 7 and 245 pounds, Unseld played center and was taken second in the 1968 NBA Draft by the Baltimore Bullets.
As a rookie, Unseld averaged 13.8 points and 18.2 rebounds, earning the rookie and MVP awards. Wilt Chamberlain was the only other player to earn both honors the same year.
FILE - In this May 14, 1998, file photo, Washington Wizards general manager Wes Unseld announces the trade of Chris Webber to the Sacramento Kings for Mitch Richmond and Otis Thorpe at the MCI Center in Washington. Unseld, the workmanlike Hall of Fame center who led Washington to its only NBA championship and was chosen one of the 50 greatest players in league history, died Tuesday, June 2, 2020, after a series of health issues, most recently pneumonia. He was 74. (AP Photo/Brian K. Diggs, FIle)
FILE - In this Jan . 30, 1979, file photo, Wes Unseld of the Washington Bullets takes in an offensive rebound against John Drew (22) of the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Landover, Md. Unseld, the workmanlike Hall of Fame center who led Washington to its only NBA championship and was chosen one of the 50 greatest players in league history, died Tuesday, June 2, 2020, after a series of health issues, most recently pneumonia. He was 74. (AP Photo/FIle)
FILE - In this April 6, 2013, file photo, former Washington Bullets basketball player and Hall of Famer Wes Unseld, right, is greeted by Irene Pollin, left, wife of the late Bullets' owner Abe Pollin, during a ceremony to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Bullets only NBA championship, during halftime of an NBA basketball game between the Washington Wizards and the Indiana Pacers, in Washington. Unseld, the workmanlike Hall of Fame center who led Washington to its only NBA championship and was chosen one of the 50 greatest players in league history, died Tuesday, June 2, 2020, after a series of health issues, most recently pneumonia. He was 74. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
FILE - In this June 12, 1978, file photo, Wes Unseld and his wife Connie hold the keys to their new Thunderbird, presented to him by Sport magazine in New York. Unseld, the workmanlike Hall of Fame center who led Washington to its only NBA championship and was chosen one of the 50 greatest players in league history, died Tuesday, June 2, 2020, after a series of health issues, most recently pneumonia. He was 74. (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler, File)
IMAGES | U of L legend Wes Unseld during his 3 years with the Cardinals
Wes Unseld as a University of Louisville player.
Wes Unseld as a University of Louisville player.
Wes Unseld and Louisville coach John Dromo.
University of Louisville photo
Wes Unseld as a University of Louisville player.
University of Louisville photo
Wes Unseld's No. 31 is one of four retired numbers in the Louisville basketball program.
Wes Unseld led the Washington Bullets to the 1978 NBA title.
FILE - In this May 14, 1998, file photo, Washington Wizards general manager Wes Unseld announces the trade of Chris Webber to the Sacramento Kings for Mitch Richmond and Otis Thorpe at the MCI Center in Washington. Unseld, the workmanlike Hall of Fame center who led Washington to its only NBA championship and was chosen one of the 50 greatest players in league history, died Tuesday, June 2, 2020, after a series of health issues, most recently pneumonia. He was 74. (AP Photo/Brian K. Diggs, FIle)
FILE - In this Jan . 30, 1979, file photo, Wes Unseld of the Washington Bullets takes in an offensive rebound against John Drew (22) of the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Landover, Md. Unseld, the workmanlike Hall of Fame center who led Washington to its only NBA championship and was chosen one of the 50 greatest players in league history, died Tuesday, June 2, 2020, after a series of health issues, most recently pneumonia. He was 74. (AP Photo/FIle)
FILE - In this April 6, 2013, file photo, former Washington Bullets basketball player and Hall of Famer Wes Unseld, right, is greeted by Irene Pollin, left, wife of the late Bullets' owner Abe Pollin, during a ceremony to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Bullets only NBA championship, during halftime of an NBA basketball game between the Washington Wizards and the Indiana Pacers, in Washington. Unseld, the workmanlike Hall of Fame center who led Washington to its only NBA championship and was chosen one of the 50 greatest players in league history, died Tuesday, June 2, 2020, after a series of health issues, most recently pneumonia. He was 74. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
FILE - In this June 12, 1978, file photo, Wes Unseld and his wife Connie hold the keys to their new Thunderbird, presented to him by Sport magazine in New York. Unseld, the workmanlike Hall of Fame center who led Washington to its only NBA championship and was chosen one of the 50 greatest players in league history, died Tuesday, June 2, 2020, after a series of health issues, most recently pneumonia. He was 74. (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler, File)
Unseld developed a close relationship with Bullets’ owner Abe Pollin and remained with the franchise for 13 seasons. The Bullets appeared in back-to-back NBA Finals against Seattle, winning the world title in 1978 and losing in 1979.
Unseld later served the team as a coach (six seasons), general manager and vice president. In retirement, Unseld lived in Baltimore where his wife, Connie, and daughter, Kimberley, run the Unselds School, a co-educational school and day care center.
Unseld is also survived by his son Wes Jr. and he is the godfather of Cleveland Cavaliers’ all-star Kevin Love, whose father, Stan, played with him in Washington.
