One of the greatest big men in the history of the Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks has passed away.
It is being reported that Hall of Famer Bob Lanier, who played 14 seasons throughout the NBA, died at the age of 73.
Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame center Bob Lanier, one of the game's great players and statesmen, passed away on Tuesday evening. He was 73 years old.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 11, 2022
Lanier suffered a short illness before his passing, according to the NBA.
The big man had a special, strong, long-lasting career that saw him play with some of the biggest names in NBA history.
Following his time in the league, he later did work on behalf of the NBA and continued to spread the word about basketball all over the world.
A Historic Career
Lanier was drafted as the number one overall pick in 1970 after a successful tenure with St. Bonaventure and an appearance in the Final Four.
After the draft, Lanier played for 14 years between the Pistons and Bucks, averaging 20.1 points and 10.1 rebounds a game.
He remains third on the Pistons’ career list in both points as well as rebounds.
Despite his hard work and immense skills, the Pistons only reached the playoffs one time with Lanier.
He was later inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992 and a bronze pair of his sneakers remain in the Hall of Fame to this day.
That’s because he allegedly wore size 22 shoes.
Following his time playing in the NBA, Lanier worked alongside former commissioner David Stern and Adam Silver.
As a global ambassador and special assistant to those two men, Lanier traveled the world and helped inspire a new generation of players from all over the globe.
Silver remembered Lanier in a statement, saying he was “one of the kindest and most genuine people I have ever been around.”
NEXT: Stats Prove Why Grizzlies Are Doomed Without Ja Morant