Athletes who died in 2023

Here’s a list of athletes who died last  year:

Willis Reed (80 years old)

Willis Reed played 10 seasons in the NBA and led the New York Knicks to the 1969-70 title. Reed played Game 7 with a torn thigh muscle and inspired the Knicks to win the crown.

Tori Bowi (32 years old) of the USA Track Team was a three-time Olympic gold medalist.  He was part of the 4x100 relay team who won the gold in the Rio Olympics in 2016 while also winning a silver and bronze medals.

Jim Brown (87years old ) played nine seasons in the national football league(nfl) in 1966, he led nfl in All-Time Rushing  yards and touchdowns while playing with the Cleveland Browns from 1957 to 1965.  He also became a movie action star.

Rick Hoyt (61 years old)

who had cerebral palsy was pushed in a custom built racing wheelchair by his father and competed in several Boston Marathons and Ironman triathlons.  He competed over 1000, road races.

Bobby Knight (83 years old) was one of the most prolific basketball coaches in college, winning three NCAA championships with the Hoosiers.

Walter Davis (69 years old) of the Phoenix Suns, spent 15 seasons in the NBA.  He was a six-time NBA All-Star and in 1971, was the Rookie of the Year Awardee.

George Mc Ginnis (73 years old) played 11 seasons in the professional league starting with the Indiana Pacers in American Basketball Association (ABA).  He was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers alongside Julius Erving who led the team to the NBA Finals in 1977.  He was also a three -time All-Star.

Chris Ford (74 years old ) was a former player and coach of the Boston Celtics.

Eric Montross (52 years old )

played 8 seasons in the NBA, first  with the Boston Celtics in 1994.  He also played for the Mavs, Nets, 76ers and Raptors.  The 7-foot center helped North Carolina Tar Heels in the collegiate basketball.

Vida Blue (76 years old) played professional baseball with Oakland Athletics and was a three-time World Series champion.

Jim Hines (76 years old)

was a track and field athlete who became the first man to run 100m under 19 seconds.

MAGRUS WHITE (17 years old)

of the USA Cycling Junior National Team, died at age 17 after being struck by a car while training in Boulder, Colorado.  In the Philippines, Samboy Lim, nicknamed the “Skywalker”, died at the age of 61 after suffering a stroke 9 years ago.    May you all Rest in Peace.