Willis Reed, who is the New Orleans Hornets' vice president of basketball operations, will definitely leave the NBA by retiring in June, the month in which he will turn 65.
His three-year contract with the franchise will end this month. Reed plans to retire to the Ruston, La., house he shares with his wife, Gale.
Before becoming the New Orleans Hornets' vice president of basketball operations, Reed was a famous player. Indeed he is best known for his 10-year playing career with the New York Knicks leading them to championships in 1970 and 1973. He was also named Rookie of the Year, won two league MVP awards and was a seven-time All Star player. Unfortunately he had to retire early because of a right knee injury.
After putting an end to his playing career, Reed started a career as a coach. He was in charge of Creighton from 1981-85 before moving on to the pros. Then he coached the Knicks from 1997-99 and the New Jersey Nets from 1987-89, where he also served as General Manager from 1988-96.
Eventually, Reed has been promoted in the Nets organization becoming the senior vice president of the Nets before coming home to New Orleans. Hornets? owner George Shinn explained that he tried to convince Reed to stay with the Nets as long as possible and to postpone his retirement plans. But it seems that his efforts have not been rewarding since the former coach and pro player is still determined to retire next year.
Shinn praised his vice president of basketball operations explaining that Reed is a great human being and a good and respected coach. That could explain why Reed was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982.
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