View source for Willis Reed

{{Short description|American basketball player (1942–2023)}}
{{distinguish|text=[[Willie Reed]], who also played in the NBA}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Willis Reed
| image = Willis Reed 1972 publicity photo.jpg
| image_size = 
| caption = Reed with the [[New York Knicks]] in 1972
| birth_date = {{birth date|1942|6|25}}
| birth_place = [[Hico, Louisiana]], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2023|3|21|1942|6|25}}
| death_place = [[Houston]], Texas, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 10
| weight_lbs = 240
| high_school = West Side ([[Lillie, Louisiana]])
| college = [[Grambling State Tigers men's basketball|Grambling State]] (1960–1964)
| draft_year = 1964
| draft_round = 2
| draft_pick = 8
| draft_team = [[New York Knicks]]
| career_start = 1964
| career_end = 1974
| career_position = [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| career_number = 19
| coach_start = 1977
| coach_end = 1989
| years1 = {{nbay|1964|start}}–{{nbay|1973|end}}
| team1 = [[New York Knicks]]
| cyears1 = {{nbay|1977|start}}–{{nbay|1978|start}}
| cteam1 = New York Knicks
| cyears2 = 1981–1985
| cteam2 = [[Creighton Bluejays men's basketball|Creighton]]
| cyears3 = {{nbay|1985|start}}–{{nbay|1986|end}}
| cteam3 = [[Atlanta Hawks]] (assistant)
| cyears4 = {{nbay|1987|full=y}}
| cteam4 = [[Sacramento Kings]] (assistant)
| cyears5 = {{nbay|1987|end}}–{{nbay|1988|end}}
| cteam5 = [[New Jersey Nets]]
| highlights = 
* 2× [[NBA champion]] ([[1970 NBA Finals|1970]], [[1973 NBA Finals|1973]])
* 2× [[Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|NBA Finals MVP]] (1970, 1973) 
* [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award|NBA Most Valuable Player]] ({{nbay|1969|end}})
* 7× [[NBA All-Star Game|NBA All-Star]] ({{nasg|1965}}–{{nasg|1971}})
* [[NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award|NBA All-Star Game MVP]] ({{nasg|1970}})
* [[All-NBA First Team]] (1970)
* 4× [[All-NBA Second Team]] ({{nbay|1966|end}}–{{nbay|1968|end}}, {{nbay|1970|end}})
* [[NBA All-Defensive First Team]] (1970)
* [[NBA Rookie of the Year Award|NBA Rookie of the Year]] ({{nbay|1964|end}})
* [[NBA All-Rookie Team]] ({{nbay|1964|end}})
* [[NBA anniversary team]] ([[50 Greatest Players in NBA History|50th]], [[NBA 75th Anniversary Team|75th]])
* No. 19 [[New York Knicks#Retired numbers|retired by New York Knicks]]
| stats_league = NBA
| stat1label = [[Point (basketball)|Points]]
| stat1value = 12,183 (18.7 ppg)
| stat2label = [[Rebound (basketball)|Rebounds]]
| stat2value = 8,414 (12.9 rpg)
| stat3label = [[Assist (basketball)|Assists]]
| stat3value = 1,186 (1.8 apg)
| HOF_player = willis-reed
| CBBASKHOF_year = 2006
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalCountry | {{bk|United States}}}}
{{MedalSport | Basketball}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Pan American Games]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[1963 Pan American Games|1963 São Paulo]] |[[Basketball at the 1963 Pan American Games|Team Competition]]}}
}}

''' Willis Reed Jr.''' (June 25, 1942 – March 21, 2023) was an American professional [[basketball]] player, coach, and general manager. He spent his [[List of NBA players who have spent their entire career with one franchise|entire ten-year pro playing career]] (1964–1974) with the [[New York Knicks]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA). Reed was a seven-time [[NBA All-Star]] and five-time [[All-NBA]] selection, including once on the first team in 1970, when he was named the [[NBA Most Valuable Player]] (MVP). Until [[Nikola Jokić]] won his first MVP in [[2020–21 NBA season|2020-21]], he was the only player drafted in the second round to win the award. He was a two-time [[NBA champion]] (1970, 1973) and was voted the [[NBA Finals MVP]] both times. In 1982, Reed was inducted into the [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]]. He was named to both the [[50 Greatest Players in NBA History|NBA's 50th]] and [[NBA 75th Anniversary Team|75th anniversary teams]].

After retiring as a player, Reed served as assistant and head coach with several teams for nearly a decade, then was promoted to general manager and vice president of basketball operations (1989–1996) for the [[New Jersey Nets]]. As senior vice president of basketball operations, he helped to lead them to the [[NBA Finals]] in [[2002 NBA Finals|2002]] and [[2003 NBA Finals|2003]].

==Early life==
Born on June 25, 1942, in [[Hico, Louisiana]], Willis Reed Jr. was the only child of Willis Sr. and Inell Reed.<ref name="Araton">{{cite news |last=Araton |first=Harvey |date=March 21, 2023 |title=Willis Reed, Hall of Fame Center for Champion Knicks, Dies at 80 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/21/sports/basketball/willis-reed-dead.html |url-access=limited |accessdate=March 21, 2023 |archive-date=March 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321192349/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/21/sports/basketball/willis-reed-dead.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="pride">{{cite web |author=Willis Reed Jr. |date=March 10, 1977 |title=Pride Is His Spur |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/03/10/archives/pride-is-his-spur.html |accessdate=March 21, 2023 |work=The New York Times |archive-date=March 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321191407/https://www.nytimes.com/1977/03/10/archives/pride-is-his-spur.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Reed was born three weeks before his father joined the Army for the duration of [[World War II]].<ref name=":0" /> His parents moved from his grandparents' farm to [[Bernice, Louisiana]], where they worked to ensure Reed got an education in the [[segregated South]].<ref name="Araton" />

Reed showed athletic ability at an early age and played basketball at all black high schools; first Elliott High School in Bernice, where his family lived, and then 9 miles away at the new West Side High School in [[Lillie, Louisiana]], which had been built in response to the [[Supreme Court of the United States|U.S. Supreme Court]] decision in [[Brown v. Board of Education]]. He played under coach Lendon Smith, and led West Side to two state tournaments and a state championship. In his senior year, it is said that Reed once scored 58 points in a game playing barefoot, after his shoes were stolen.<ref name="NBA Bio: Willis Reed">{{cite web|url = http://www.nba.com/history/players/reed_bio.html|title = NBA Bio: Willis Reed|access-date = February 8, 2015|publisher = National Basketball Association|archive-date = September 1, 2010|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100901181901/http://www.nba.com/history/players/reed_bio.html|url-status = live}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

Reed was All-State in football (as an end) and basketball, and he set a state record in the [[discus throw]]. He was recruited by colleges, such as [[Loyola of Chicago]], [[Nebraska Cornhuskers|Nebraska]] and [[Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball|Wisconsin]], for basketball. Reed attended [[Grambling State University]], a [[historically black college]], playing under coach Fred Hobdy. He became a starter as a freshman, the team won the [[NAIA men's basketball championship|NAIA tournament]], and he was named to the all-tournament team as a freshman.<ref name=":0" />

Playing for the [[Grambling State Tigers men's basketball]] team, Reed scored 2,280 career [[Point (basketball)|points]], averaging 26.6 [[points per game]] and 21.3 [[rebounds per game]] during his senior year. He led the Tigers to one [[National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics|NAIA]] title and three [[Southwestern Athletic Conference]] (SWAC) championships, and a 108–17 record. He averaged 22 points per game in 12 NAIA tournament games.<ref name="NBA Bio: Willis Reed" /><ref name=":0" /> Reed also was a member of [[Phi Beta Sigma]] fraternity.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://bluephi.net/blog/2014/12/18/willis-reed/|title = Willis Reed|date = December 18, 2014|access-date = February 8, 2015|website = Blue Phi|archive-date = February 3, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150203090925/http://bluephi.net/blog/2014/12/18/willis-reed/|url-status = live}}</ref> He was inducted into the SWAC Hall of Fame in 1994.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Willis Reed (1994) - Hall of Fame |url=https://swac.org/hof.aspx?hof=175 |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=swac.org |language=en}}</ref>

Among his basketball teammates were future [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] player [[Buck Buchanan]], and future AFL player [[Ernie Ladd]].<ref name=":7">{{Cite book |title=BUCK BUCHANAN. Great Athletes |publisher=Salem Press |year=2001}}</ref>

==Professional career==
[[File:Willis Reed 1969.jpeg|thumb|Reed in 1969]]
===New York Knicks (1964–1974)===
The [[New York Knicks]] selected Reed with the first pick in the second round of the [[1964 NBA draft]].<ref name=pride/> Reed quickly made a name for himself as a fierce, dominating, and physical force on both ends of the floor as a [[Center (basketball)|center]]. In March 1965, he scored 46 points against the [[Los Angeles Lakers]], the second-most points in a game ever by the Knicks' rookie. For the 1964–65 season, he was seventh-ranked in the NBA in scoring (19.5 points per game) and fifth-ranked in rebounding (14.7 rebounds per game). He also began one of his multiple All-Star appearances and won the [[NBA Rookie of the Year Award]],<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/316212496/?terms=%22willis%20reed%22%20%22rookie%20of%20the%20year%22&match=1 The Capital Journal from Salem, Oregon · 22] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321215545/https://www.newspapers.com/image/316212496/?terms=%22willis%20reed%22%20%22rookie%20of%20the%20year%22&match=1 |date=March 21, 2023 }} (subscription required)</ref> while also being named to the [[NBA All-Rookie First Team]].<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/745287839/?terms=%22willis%20reed%22%20%22all-rookie%20team%22&match=1 Concord Transcript from Concord, California] (subscription required)</ref>

For a few years, the Knicks struggled while adding valuable players through trades and drafts. Midway through the 1967–68 season, [[Dick McGuire]] was replaced as coach with [[Red Holzman]]. The Knicks had accumulated a 15–22 record under McGuire but then in the part of the season that Holzman led them achieved a 28–17 record, for a 43–39 season, its first winning record since the 1958–59 season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Don |date=March 22, 2023 |title=NBA Hall of Fame legend Willis Reed dead at 80 |url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/american-sports/nba/nba-hall-of-fame-legend-willis-reed-dead-at-80/news-story/929496a9df9f6918c7b8e21bff1efcb1 |website=News.com.au}}</ref>

Reed continued to be selected annually for the [[NBA All-Star Game]]. By that time he was playing as a power forward to open up the center position for [[Walt Bellamy]].<ref name=legend>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/news/history-nba-legend-willis-reed|title=Legends profile: Willis Reed|access-date=March 22, 2023|publisher=National Basketball Association|date=September 13, 2021|archive-date=March 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322015744/https://www.nba.com/news/history-nba-legend-willis-reed|url-status=live}}</ref> Reed averaged 11.6 rebounds in 1965–66 and 14.6 in 1966–67, both ranked top 10-best in the league. He averaged 20.9 points in the latter season.<ref name="Basketball-Reference.com">{{Cite web |title=Willis Reed Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/reedwi01.html |access-date=March 25, 2023 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en |archive-date=August 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807230657/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/reedwi01.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1968–69, the Knicks had traded Bellamy and [[Howard Komives]] to the [[Detroit Pistons]] for [[Dave DeBusschere]], allowing the Knicks to move Reed back to center.<ref name=legend/> New York's defense surrendered a league-low 105.2 points per game. For five of the next six seasons, the Knicks were the best defensive team in the league, with Reed in the middle and additional defensive efforts by [[Walt Frazier]].<ref name="legend" /> Reed scored 21.1 points per game in 1968–69 and grabbed a franchise-record 1,191 rebounds, with an average of 14.5 rebounds per game.<ref name="Basketball-Reference.com" />

In the [[1970 NBA season|1969–70 season]], the Knicks won a franchise-record 60 games and set a then single-season NBA record with an [[List of National Basketball Association longest winning streaks|18-game win streak]]. In 1970, Reed became the first player in NBA history to be named the [[NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award|NBA All-Star Game MVP]], the [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award|NBA regular season MVP]], and the [[Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|NBA Finals MVP]] in the same season. In the same year he was named to the [[All-NBA Team|All-NBA First Team]] and [[NBA All-Defensive Team|NBA All-Defensive First Team]], as well as being named as [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s ''[[Wide World of Sports (U.S. TV series)|Wide World of Sports]]'' Athlete of the Year, and the [[Sporting News]] NBA MVP.<ref name="legend" />

Reed's most famous performance happened on May 8, 1970, in game seven of the [[1970 NBA Finals]] against the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] in [[Madison Square Garden]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Top NBA Finals moments: Hobbled Willis Reed inspires Knicks' victory in Game 7 |url=https://www.nba.com/news/history-finals-moments-hobbled-willis-reed-inspires-knicks-victory-in-game-7 |access-date=March 24, 2023 |publisher=National Basketball Association |language=en |archive-date=March 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323231005/https://www.nba.com/news/history-finals-moments-hobbled-willis-reed-inspires-knicks-victory-in-game-7 |url-status=live }}</ref> Due to a severe thigh injury, a torn muscle that had previously kept him out of game six, he was considered unlikely to play in game seven. However Reed surprised the fans by walking onto the court during warmups, prompting widespread applause. Starting the game, he scored the Knicks' first two field goals on his first two shot attempts, his only points of the game.<ref name=legend/> Reed played 27 minutes, finishing with four points and three rebounds. The Lakers were totally thrown off by Reed's appearance and the Knicks won 113-99.<ref name=tomasson_0911208/> After the game in the winner's locker room, a moved [[Howard Cosell]] told Reed on national television, "You exemplify the very best that the human spirit can offer."<ref>{{cite web |title='Our Captain': Knicks, NBA world react to death of Willis Reed |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/our-captain-knicks-nba-world-react-to-death-of-willis-reed |work=Fox Sports |access-date=March 22, 2023 |date=March 21, 2023 |archive-date=March 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322084137/https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/our-captain-knicks-nba-world-react-to-death-of-willis-reed |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Knicks slipped to a 52–30 record in the 1970–71 season; despite this, the Knicks took first place in the Atlantic Division. In the middle of the season against the [[Cincinnati Royals]], Reed tied [[Harry Gallatin]]'s all-time team record of 33 rebounds. He started again in that season's All-Star Game. His season average was 20.9 points and 13.7 rebounds per game, but the Knicks were knocked out by the [[Baltimore Bullets (1963–73)|Baltimore Bullets]] in the Eastern Conference Finals.<ref name="National Basketball Association" /> During the 1971–72 season, Reed had problems with [[tendonitis]] in his left knee, which limited his mobility.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=May 21, 1973 |title=Where there's a Willis |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1973/05/21/where-theres-a-willis |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |access-date=March 24, 2023 |archive-date=March 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324232528/https://vault.si.com/vault/1973/05/21/where-theres-a-willis |url-status=dead }}</ref> After a two-week hiatus, he returned to the court, only to have the injured knee prevent him from playing shortly thereafter; in total, he played 11 games for the season. Without Reed, the Knicks still managed to make the NBA Finals, but were defeated in five games by the Los Angeles Lakers.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Shmelter |first=Richard J. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pDLECwAAQBAJ&pg=PA166 |title=The Los Angeles Lakers Encyclopedia |date=March 18, 2016 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-9334-0 |language=en |access-date=March 24, 2023 |archive-date=March 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328020542/https://books.google.com/books?id=pDLECwAAQBAJ&pg=PA166 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The 1972–73 Knicks' season concluded with a 57–25 record, and they proceeded to win another NBA championship.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Season Review: 1972–73 |url=https://www.nba.com/news/history-season-review-1972-73 |access-date=March 25, 2023 |publisher=National Basketball Association |language=en |archive-date=March 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314193405/https://www.nba.com/news/history-season-review-1972-73 |url-status=live }}</ref> Averaging only 11.0 points in 69 regular season games, Reed's contribution was a far cry from his record two seasons prior. In the playoffs, the Knicks defeated the Bullets and upset the [[Boston Celtics]], and again faced the Lakers in the NBA Finals. After losing the first game, the Knicks won four straight, securing their second NBA championship with a 102–93 victory in game five, as Reed scored 18 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and recorded seven assists in the deciding victory.<ref>{{cite web |title=1973 NBA Finals Game 5: Knicks vs Lakers, May 10, 1973 |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197305100LAL.html |website=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=February 17, 2023 |archive-date=January 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128203510/https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/197305100LAL.html |url-status=live }}</ref> After the win, Reed was named NBA Finals MVP.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Magliocchetti |first=Geoff |date=March 21, 2023 |title=Knicks Legend Willis Reed dies at 80 |url=https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/.amp/news/new-york-knicks-willis-reed-dies-nba-champion-obituary-mvp |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=March 25, 2023 |archive-date=March 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325122836/https://www.si.com/nba/knicks/.amp/news/new-york-knicks-willis-reed-dies-nba-champion-obituary-mvp |url-status=live }}</ref>

Reed's career was cut short by injuries, and he retired after the [[1973–74 NBA season|1973–74 season]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=McGregor |first=Gilbert |date=March 21, 2023 |title=Willis Reed dies at 80: NBA world mourns loss of Knicks icon and Basketball Hall of Famer |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/willis-reed-dies-nba-mourns-knicks-icon-hall-of-fame/atsqmny24b9j3ny9k8j9rsbd |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321222710/https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/willis-reed-dies-nba-mourns-knicks-icon-hall-of-fame/atsqmny24b9j3ny9k8j9rsbd |archive-date=March 21, 2023 |access-date=March 21, 2023 |website=Sporting News}}</ref> For his career Reed averaged 18.7 points and 12.9 rebounds per game, playing 650 games. He played in seven All-Star Games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Revisiting Willis Reed's Game 7 performance: What you didn't know about Knicks legend's battle vs. Lakers |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/willis-reed-game-7-knicks-vs-lakers-legend/mlbbx4cparmetc9extzcexcp |access-date=March 25, 2023 |website=sportingnews.com |date=March 22, 2023 |language=en-us |archive-date=March 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325000608/https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/willis-reed-game-7-knicks-vs-lakers-legend/mlbbx4cparmetc9extzcexcp |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Coaching career==
Reed spent several years coaching before moving into general management.

===New York Knicks (1977–1978)===
He coached the Knicks in 1977–1978, and left the team 14 games into the following season (49–47 record).

===Creighton (1981–1985)===
He was the head coach at [[Creighton University]] from 1981 to 1985 and volunteer assistant coach for [[St. John's University (New York)|St. John's University]].

===Atlanta Hawks (1985–1987)===
Reed served as an assistant coach for the [[Atlanta Hawks]] from 1985 to 1987.<ref name="National Basketball Association">{{cite web |title=Legends profile: Willis Reed |url=http://www.nba.com/history/legends/profiles/willis-reed |publisher=National Basketball Association |access-date=December 20, 2018 |archive-date=December 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220231601/http://www.nba.com/history/legends/profiles/willis-reed |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Sacramento Kings (1987–1988)===
Reed served as an assistant coach for the [[Sacramento Kings]] from 1987 to 1988.

===New Jersey Nets (1988–1989)===
Reed debuted as head coach of the [[New Jersey Nets]] on March 1, 1988, one week after the Nets' star forward (and Reed's cousin) [[Orlando Woolridge]] was suspended by the league and was to undergo drug rehabilitation.<ref>{{cite news|last=Baker|first=Chris|title=Clippers to Play Willis Reed's Nets in New Jersey|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-03-01-sp-44-story.html|access-date=June 1, 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=March 1, 1988|archive-date=October 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014141121/http://articles.latimes.com/1988-03-01/sports/sp-44_1_willis-reed|url-status=live}}</ref> He compiled a 33–77 record with the Nets.

==Executive career==
===New Jersey Nets (1989–2004)===
In 1989, he stepped down as coach and became the Nets' vice president of basketball and business development.<ref>{{cite web|title=Willis Reed Steps Down as Head Coach of Nets|date=August 11, 1989|work=Los Angeles Times|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-08-11-sp-404-story.html|access-date=March 27, 2023|archive-date=March 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327052252/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-08-11-sp-404-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He was given the responsibility for personnel in 1993, receiving a three-year contract extension and gaining general manager duties.<ref>{{cite web|first=Mike|last=Freeman|title=Nets Hand Reed Keys to the Kingdom|date=January 15, 1993|page=B-10|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/01/15/sports/pro-basketball-nets-hand-reed-keys-to-the-kingdom.html|access-date=March 27, 2023|archive-date=March 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327052253/https://www.nytimes.com/1993/01/15/sports/pro-basketball-nets-hand-reed-keys-to-the-kingdom.html|url-status=live}}</ref> During that time, he drafted [[Kenny Anderson (basketball)|Kenny Anderson]] and [[Derrick Coleman]],<ref name=legend/> acquired [[Dražen Petrović]], and made the Nets a playoff contender throughout the early 1990s. [[Chuck Daly]] was hired by Reed to coach the Nets for the 1992–93 and 1993–94 seasons.<ref name=legend/> In 1996, Reed was promoted to senior vice president of basketball operations, while continuing his goal of turning the Nets into championship contenders.<ref name=legend/> They made the [[NBA Finals]] in 2002 and 2003.<ref name="Araton"/>

===New Orleans Hornets (2004–2007)===
Reed then became the vice president of basketball operations with the [[New Orleans Hornets]] in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://gothamist.com/2004/06/30/willis_reed_leaves_new_york_area_for_the_big_easy.php|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171107190227/http://gothamist.com/2004/06/30/willis_reed_leaves_new_york_area_for_the_big_easy.php|url-status = dead|archive-date = November 7, 2017|title = Willis Reed Leaves New York Area for the Big Easy|date = June 30, 2004|access-date = February 8, 2015|website = Gothamist.com}}</ref> He retired in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.espn.com/new-york/nba/news/story?id=5169443|title= Reed's special moment lives on|publisher= ESPN|date= May 7, 2010|access-date= September 28, 2010|archive-date= May 13, 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100513043053/http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/news/story?id=5169443|url-status= live}}</ref>

==Legacy==
* Reed received the Sam Davis Memorial Award by the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association as Professional Player of the Year in 1969 and 1970<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sam Davis Memorial Award (MBWA NBA MVP) Winners |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/sam_davis.html |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
* In 1970, Reed was inducted into the NAIA Basketball Hall of Fame<ref name=sportingnews>{{Cite book| title = NBA Register: 1986–87 Edition | publisher = The Sporting News Publishing Company | year = 1986 | page = 344 | isbn = 9780892042272}}</ref>
* In 1982, Reed was inducted into the [[Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Willis Reed Jr. |url=https://lasportshall.com/?inductees=willis-reed-jr |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame |language=en-US}}</ref>
* In 1982, Reed was enshrined in the [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rogers |first1=Thomas |title=Reed Named to Hall of Fame |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/02/21/sports/reed-named-to-hall-of-fame.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=March 22, 2023 |date=February 21, 1982 |archive-date=March 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321215904/https://www.nytimes.com/1982/02/21/sports/reed-named-to-hall-of-fame.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* In 1994, he was inducted into the Southwestern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame<ref name=":1" />
* In 1997, Reed was elected to the [[NBA 50th Anniversary Team]]<ref name="NBA50">{{cite web |title=NBA at 50: Top 50 Players |url=https://www.nba.com/history/nba-at-50/top-50-players |publisher=National Basketball Association |access-date=March 23, 2023 |date=October 29, 1996 |archive-date=May 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504232939/https://www.nba.com/history/nba-at-50/top-50-players |url-status=live }}</ref>
* In 2021, Reed was elected to the [[NBA 75th Anniversary Team]]<ref name="NBA75">{{cite web |title=NBA 75th Anniversary Team announced |url=https://www.nba.com/news/nba-75th-anniversary-team-announced |publisher=National Basketball Association |access-date=March 22, 2023 |date=October 21, 2021 |archive-date=October 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025195243/https://www.nba.com/news/nba-75th-anniversary-team-announced |url-status=live }}</ref>
* In 2021, Reed was inducted into the [[Louisiana High School Athletic Association|Louisiana High School Sports]] Hall of Fame<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 12, 2021 |title=2021 Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame Inductees |url=https://crescentcitysports.com/2021-louisiana-high-school-sports-hall-of-fame-inductees/ |access-date=November 18, 2025 |website=Crescent City Sports |language=en-US}}</ref>
* The March 16, 2022, game between [[2021–22 Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team|Kent State]] and [[2021–22 Southern Utah Thunderbirds men's basketball team|Southern Utah]] at [[2022 The Basketball Classic|The Basketball Classic]] was designated the Willis Reed Game.<ref>{{cite web|title=Willis Reed Game|url=https://www.thebasketballclassic.com/Willis_Reed_Game.pdf|publisher=The Basketball Classic|access-date=March 15, 2022|archive-date=March 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315071451/https://www.thebasketballclassic.com/Willis_Reed_Game.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Starting with the 2021–22 NBA season, the [[Southwest Division (NBA)|NBA Southwest Division]] champion would receive the Willis Reed Trophy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/news/nba-division-trophies|title=NBA unveils new trophies for division winners named after 6 NBA legends|publisher=National Basketball Association|access-date=April 23, 2022|archive-date=April 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422201132/https://www.nba.com/news/nba-division-trophies|url-status=live}}</ref>

==In popular media==
[[Rapping|Rap]] songs have mentioned Reed, recognizing his impressive athleticism and skill. Examples include [[Kurtis Blow]]'s 1984 hit "[[Basketball (song)|Basketball]]"<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.macdart.com/mp/mp_013.htm| title= Modern Poetry Edition #13, (OLD SCHOOL DOUBLE ISSUE)| website= macdart.com| access-date= June 11, 2016| archive-date= May 1, 2006| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060501180119/http://www.macdart.com/mp/mp_013.htm| url-status= live}}</ref> on his ''Ego Trip'' album, and the [[Beastie Boys]]' "Long Burn The Fire" on their 2011 album ''[[Hot Sauce Committee Part Two]]''.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.beastieboysannotated.com/hotsauce.html| website= BeastieBoysAnnotated.com| title= Hot Sauce Committee Part Two| access-date= June 11, 2016| archive-date= September 9, 2015| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150909104210/http://www.beastieboysannotated.com/hotsauce.html| url-status= live}}</ref>

Reed's name has become synonymous with playing through injury, as [[Cris Collinsworth]] described an injured [[Aaron Rodgers]] as having a "Willis Reed kind of night" on the ''[[NBC Sunday Night Football]]'' broadcast on September 9, 2018.<ref name=tomasson_0911208>{{Cite web |first=Chris |last=Tomasson |date=September 11, 2018 |title=Did Aaron Rodgers have a Willis Reed moment? Reed weighs in |url=https://www.twincities.com/2018/09/11/did-aaron-rodgers-have-a-willis-reed-moment-reed-gives-his-take/ |access-date=March 21, 2023 |work=Pioneer Press |archive-date=March 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321222710/https://www.twincities.com/2018/09/11/did-aaron-rodgers-have-a-willis-reed-moment-reed-gives-his-take/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Personal life==
Reed and his first wife, Geraldine Oliver, married when both were still attending Grambling State University. They had two children, Karl Vance and Veronica Marie, and the marriage ended in divorce.<ref name=pride/> He then married Gale Kennedy, a nurse, in 1983. The wedding was held in [[Roslyn Heights, New York]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/08/21/sports/sports-people-comings-and-goings.html |title=SPORTS PEOPLE; Comings and Goings |work=The New York Times |date=August 21, 1983 |accessdate=March 21, 2023 |archive-date=March 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321191118/https://www.nytimes.com/1983/08/21/sports/sports-people-comings-and-goings.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Reed died from heart failure in [[Houston]], Texas, on March 21, 2023, at age 80.<ref name = Araton/><ref>{{Cite web|title=Mr. Willis Reed, Jr.|url=http://www.kingsfuneral.com/willis_reed_jr.htm|access-date=April 11, 2023|website=kingsfuneral.com}}</ref>

==NBA career statistics==
{{NBA player statistics legend|champion=y|leader=y}}
Source:<ref name="Basketball-Reference.com" />

===Regular season===
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1964}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1964–65 New York Knicks season|New York]]
| style="background:#cfecec;"|80* || {{sort|-|—}} || 38.0 || .432 || {{sort|-|—}} || .742 || '''14.7''' || 1.7 || — || — || 19.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1965}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1965–66 New York Knicks season|New York]]
| 76 || {{sort|-|—}} || 33.4 || .434 || {{sort|-|—}} || .757 || 11.6 || 1.2 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || 15.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1966}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1966–67 New York Knicks season|New York]]
| 78 || {{sort|-|—}} || 36.2 || .489 || {{sort|-|—}} || .735 || 14.6 || 1.6 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || 20.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1967}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1967–68 New York Knicks season|New York]]
| 81 || {{sort|-|—}} || 35.5 || .490 || {{sort|-|—}} || .721 || 13.2 || 2.0 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || 20.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1968}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1968–69 New York Knicks season|New York]]
| '''82''' || {{sort|-|—}} || 37.9 || '''.521''' || {{sort|-|—}} || .747 || 14.5 || '''2.3''' || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || 21.1
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"|{{nbay|1969}}{{dagger}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1969–70 New York Knicks season|New York]]
| 81 || {{sort|-|—}} || 38.1 || .507 || {{sort|-|—}} || .756 || 13.9 || 2.0 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || '''21.7'''
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1970}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1970–71 New York Knicks season|New York]]
| 73 || {{sort|-|—}} || '''39.1''' || .462 || {{sort|-|—}} || .785 || 13.7 || 2.0 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || 20.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1971}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1971–72 New York Knicks season|New York]]
| 11 || {{sort|-|—}} || 33.0 || .438 || {{sort|-|—}} || .692 || 8.7 || 2.0 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || 13.4
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"|{{nbay|1972}}{{dagger}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1972–73 New York Knicks season|New York]]
| 69 || {{sort|-|—}} || 27.2 || .474 || {{sort|-|—}} || .742 || 8.6 || 1.8 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || 11.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1973}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1973–74 New York Knicks season|New York]]
| 19 || {{sort|-|—}} || 26.3 || .457 || {{sort|-|—}} || '''.792''' || 7.4 || 1.6 || .6 || 1.1 || 11.1
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 650 || {{sort|-|—}} || 35.5 || .476 || {{sort|-|—}} || .747 || 12.9 || 1.8 || .6 || 1.1 || 18.7
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|All-Star
| 7 || 4 || 23.0 || .452 || {{sort|-|—}} || .750 || 8.3 || 1.0 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || 12.6
{{s-end}}

===Playoffs===
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1967 NBA playoffs|1967]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1966–67 New York Knicks season|New York]]
| 4 || {{sort|-|—}} || 37.0 || .538 || {{sort|-|—}} || '''.960''' || 13.8 || 1.8 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || '''27.5'''
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1968 NBA playoffs|1968]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1967–68 New York Knicks season|New York]]
| 6 || {{sort|-|—}} || 35.0 || '''.541''' || {{sort|-|—}} || .733 || 10.3 || 1.8 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || 21.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1969 NBA playoffs|1969]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1968–69 New York Knicks season|New York]]
| 10 || {{sort|-|—}} || '''42.9''' || .510 || {{sort|-|—}} || .786 || '''14.1''' || 1.9 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || 25.7
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"|[[1970 NBA playoffs|1970]]{{dagger}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1969–70 New York Knicks season|New York]]
| '''18''' || {{sort|-|—}} || 40.7 || .471 || {{sort|-|—}} || .737 || 13.8 || '''2.8''' || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || 23.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1971 NBA playoffs|1971]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1970–71 New York Knicks season|New York]]
| 12 || {{sort|-|—}} || 42.0 || .413 || {{sort|-|—}} || .667 || 12.0 || 2.3 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || 15.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;"|[[1973 NBA playoffs|1973]]{{dagger}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1972–73 New York Knicks season|New York]]
| 17 || {{sort|-|—}} || 28.6 || .466 || {{sort|-|—}} || .857 || 7.6 || 1.8 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || 12.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1974 NBA playoffs|1974]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1973–74 New York Knicks season|New York]]
| 11 || {{sort|-|—}} || 12.0 || .378 || {{sort|-|—}} || .600 || 2.0 || .4 || .2 || .0 || 3.4
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 78 || {{sort|-|—}} || 33.9 || .474 || {{sort|-|—}} || .765 || 10.3 || 1.9 || .2 || .0 || 17.4
{{s-end}}

==Head coaching record==
{{NBA coach statistics legend}}
{{NBA coach statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[New York Knicks]]
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1977}}
|82||43||39||.524|| style="text-align:center;"|2nd in Atlantic||6||2||4||.333
| style="text-align:center;"|Lost in [[1978 NBA playoffs|Eastern Conference Semifinals]]
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[New York Knicks]]
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1978}}
|14||6||8||.429|| style="text-align:center;"|(fired)||—||—||—||—
| style="text-align:center;"|-
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[New Jersey Nets]]
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1987}}
|28||7||21||.250|| style="text-align:center;"|5th in Atlantic)||—||—||—||—
| style="text-align:center;"|Missed Playoffs
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[New Jersey Nets]]
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1988}}
|82||26||56||.317|| style="text-align:center;"|4th in Atlantic)||—||—||—||—
| style="text-align:center;"|Missed Playoffs
{{s-end}}
*''Source: [https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/reedwi01c.html Basketball Reference]''
==References==
;Footnotes
{{reflist}}

;Bibliography
* {{cite encyclopedia| first1= F. Romall |last1= Smalls |first2= Kenneth T. |last2= Jackson |title=Willis Reed| encyclopedia= Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives: Sports Figures, Vol. 2| location= New York| publisher= Charles Scribner's Sons/Gale Group| year= 2002| pages= 259–260}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite book|last=Heisler |first=Mark |title=Giants: The 25 Greatest Centers of All Time |year=2003 |publisher=Triumph Books |location=Chicago |isbn=1-57243-577-1}}

==External links==
{{basketballstats|nba=77929|bbr=r/reedwi01}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090831070732/http://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/tag/willis-reed Profile] at [[Basketball Hall of Fame]] 
* [http://www.nba.com/history/players/reed_summary.html Summary] at NBA.com

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Reed, Willis}}
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