Hal Greer, the durable 76ers legend who rode a remarkable 15-year NBA career with Philadephia and the Syracuse Nationals to the Hall of Fame, has died at the age of 81.
The Sixers said Greer died Saturday night in Arizona after a brief illness.
“The Philadelphia 76ers organization mourns the passing of Hal Greer, an NBA champion, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer and team legend,” the club said in a statement released Monday morning. “Throughout his 15-year career with the Syracuse Nationals and Philadelphia 76ers, Greer solidified his place as one of the greatest basketball players ever. An NBA champion in 1967 and 10-time NBA All-Star, Greer’s legacy includes being the 76ers’ all-time leader in points, field goals, field goals attempted, games and minutes played, culminating in him being named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996.”
Greer was drafted by Syracuse with the 14th overall pick in 1958 NBA draft and played five seasons with the Nationals before joining the Sixers. He averaged between 18 and 24 points per game every season from 1961 to 1971, using a reliable mid-range jumper both from the floor and the free-throw line. Though standing a modest 6-foot-2, Greer proved a remarkably dependable player, rarely missing a game before his final season in 1972-73.
Greer built up chemistry with fellow legend Wilt Chamberlain during the Sixers’ title-winning season in 1967, which ended the Celtics’ eight-year run as NBA champions. Greer perhaps shined the brightest during the 1968 All-Star game, when he lit up Madison Square Garden with 21 points in just 17 minutes while playing with a record 17 future Hall of Famers.
Greer was the first player to have his number retired by the 76ers when the team retired his No. 15 in 1976. He was also the first Sixers player to be honored with a sculpture on the team’s Legends Walk at its training complex last year. Greer was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982.
“In addition to his historic contributions on the court, Greer will forever be remembered as a true gentleman who used the tremendous platform of basketball to uplift and inspire others,” the team added. “We extend our deepest condolences and send our love to the Greer family during this difficult time.”
The 76ers said they will pay tribute to Greer’s life and legacy at Monday night’s Game 2 against the Heat in Philadelphia.
