Photo: NBA Photos/NBAE via Getty ImagesBob Ferry, a former NBA player and the only general manager to lead the Washington Bullets to victory in the league’s championship, has died. He was 84.The Washington Wizards' head coach Wes Unseld Jr. announced the news during a pregamepress conferenceWednesday, sharing condolences on behalf of his family and the team.“Bob and his family are dear to my parents, the Unseld family, to the Wizards organization, and we just want to wish him and his family the best, and keep them in our thoughts and prayers,” said Unseld Jr. “I know how difficult this time is. I just want to let them know we’re thinking about them, we care for them and we’ll be there for them.“Two years after launching in Chicago in 1961, the team moved east and was rebranded as the Baltimore Bullets, according to theorganization.In 1974, they were rechristened as the Washington Bullets, and again renamed as the Wizards in 1997.A 6'8” center, Ferry was drafted at No. 7 in 1959 and played for a decade, spending his final five seasons with the Baltimore Bullets before retiring in 1969,WTOPandNBA.comreport. He soon started working as an assistant coach for the Bullets, and rose to the role of general manager, leading the team from 1973 to 1990 back in Washington in whatESPNsummed up as a “prolific” run.Focus on Sport/Getty ImagesNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free weekly newsletterto get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday.The general manager was twice honored as an executive of the year (for the 1978-79 and 1981-82 seasons), guiding the Bullets to the NBA Finals in 1978. During his tenure, the Bullets reached the playoffs in 13 of the 17 seasons.NBA Photos/NBAE via Getty ImagesAccording to the outlet, Ferry was also the second GM to hire two Black head coaches – K.C. Jones in 1973 and Wes Unseld Sr., Unseld Jr.’s father, in 1988. After he exited the organization, Ferry served as an NBA scout for the next 25 years.“The basketball community has lost a Legend. Our hearts are with the family, friends and fans of Bob Ferry,” the National Basketball Retired Players Association said in astatement.Ferry’s son Danny Ferry was also a standout basketball star at Duke University, honored as a national player of the year for the 1988-89 season and winning a national title. Danny played in the NBA for 13 seasons before serving front office roles for various teams.
Photo: NBA Photos/NBAE via Getty Images
Bob Ferry, a former NBA player and the only general manager to lead the Washington Bullets to victory in the league’s championship, has died. He was 84.The Washington Wizards' head coach Wes Unseld Jr. announced the news during a pregamepress conferenceWednesday, sharing condolences on behalf of his family and the team.“Bob and his family are dear to my parents, the Unseld family, to the Wizards organization, and we just want to wish him and his family the best, and keep them in our thoughts and prayers,” said Unseld Jr. “I know how difficult this time is. I just want to let them know we’re thinking about them, we care for them and we’ll be there for them.“Two years after launching in Chicago in 1961, the team moved east and was rebranded as the Baltimore Bullets, according to theorganization.In 1974, they were rechristened as the Washington Bullets, and again renamed as the Wizards in 1997.A 6'8” center, Ferry was drafted at No. 7 in 1959 and played for a decade, spending his final five seasons with the Baltimore Bullets before retiring in 1969,WTOPandNBA.comreport. He soon started working as an assistant coach for the Bullets, and rose to the role of general manager, leading the team from 1973 to 1990 back in Washington in whatESPNsummed up as a “prolific” run.Focus on Sport/Getty ImagesNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free weekly newsletterto get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday.The general manager was twice honored as an executive of the year (for the 1978-79 and 1981-82 seasons), guiding the Bullets to the NBA Finals in 1978. During his tenure, the Bullets reached the playoffs in 13 of the 17 seasons.NBA Photos/NBAE via Getty ImagesAccording to the outlet, Ferry was also the second GM to hire two Black head coaches – K.C. Jones in 1973 and Wes Unseld Sr., Unseld Jr.’s father, in 1988. After he exited the organization, Ferry served as an NBA scout for the next 25 years.“The basketball community has lost a Legend. Our hearts are with the family, friends and fans of Bob Ferry,” the National Basketball Retired Players Association said in astatement.Ferry’s son Danny Ferry was also a standout basketball star at Duke University, honored as a national player of the year for the 1988-89 season and winning a national title. Danny played in the NBA for 13 seasons before serving front office roles for various teams.
Bob Ferry, a former NBA player and the only general manager to lead the Washington Bullets to victory in the league’s championship, has died. He was 84.
The Washington Wizards' head coach Wes Unseld Jr. announced the news during a pregamepress conferenceWednesday, sharing condolences on behalf of his family and the team.
“Bob and his family are dear to my parents, the Unseld family, to the Wizards organization, and we just want to wish him and his family the best, and keep them in our thoughts and prayers,” said Unseld Jr. “I know how difficult this time is. I just want to let them know we’re thinking about them, we care for them and we’ll be there for them.”
Two years after launching in Chicago in 1961, the team moved east and was rebranded as the Baltimore Bullets, according to theorganization.In 1974, they were rechristened as the Washington Bullets, and again renamed as the Wizards in 1997.
A 6'8” center, Ferry was drafted at No. 7 in 1959 and played for a decade, spending his final five seasons with the Baltimore Bullets before retiring in 1969,WTOPandNBA.comreport. He soon started working as an assistant coach for the Bullets, and rose to the role of general manager, leading the team from 1973 to 1990 back in Washington in whatESPNsummed up as a “prolific” run.
Focus on Sport/Getty Images
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free weekly newsletterto get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday.
The general manager was twice honored as an executive of the year (for the 1978-79 and 1981-82 seasons), guiding the Bullets to the NBA Finals in 1978. During his tenure, the Bullets reached the playoffs in 13 of the 17 seasons.
NBA Photos/NBAE via Getty Images
According to the outlet, Ferry was also the second GM to hire two Black head coaches – K.C. Jones in 1973 and Wes Unseld Sr., Unseld Jr.’s father, in 1988. After he exited the organization, Ferry served as an NBA scout for the next 25 years.
“The basketball community has lost a Legend. Our hearts are with the family, friends and fans of Bob Ferry,” the National Basketball Retired Players Association said in astatement.
Ferry’s son Danny Ferry was also a standout basketball star at Duke University, honored as a national player of the year for the 1988-89 season and winning a national title. Danny played in the NBA for 13 seasons before serving front office roles for various teams.
source: people.com
