The NBA has loss another former great on Tuesday afternoon with Hall of Famer point guard Jo Jo White passing away at the age of 71 after battling with cancer, according to Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald.
Just received a call from one of JoJo White's old teammates to say the Celtic legend has passed away at 71 after his battle with cancer. A 2015 Hall of Fame inductee, JoJo was a seven-time All-Star and MVP of the 1976 Finals. No. 10 is retired in his honor.
— Steve Bulpett (@SteveBHoop) January 16, 2018
White had been battling cancer for several years that included undergoing surgery to remove a malignant tumor back in 2010. Following that, he had established the Jo Jo White Foundation to help support research for brain cancer.
White was a key member of the Celtics in the 1970s helping lead the team to a pair of NBA titles as one of the primary offensive scorers. He spent 10 years with the team earning seven All-Star Game selections that include his infamous performance in triple overtime Game 5 win in the 1976 NBA Finals where he had a game-high 33 points with nine assists in an astounding 60 minutes played, also winning the series MVP award.
As we remember Celtics legend Jo Jo White, watch his legendary performance in the greatest game ever played, the triple OT win over the Phoenix Suns in the 1976 finals. RIPhttps://t.co/wnuhwPSlvT
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) January 17, 2018
In his Celtics' career, he averaged 18.3 points per game and took it a notch in the playoffs averaging 21.5 points. This included setting the franchise record 488 consecutive games played, which is still an active mark. He also has his No. 10 jersey retired in 1982, which was just one year after he retired.
In response to this situation, the Celtics have released a team statement voicing much appreciation for his time with the organization.
We are terribly saddened by the passing of the great Jo Jo White. He was a champion and a gentleman; supremely talented and brilliant on the court, and endlessly gracious off of it. Jo Jo was a key member of two championship teams, an NBA Finals MVP, a gold medal-winning Olympian, and a Hall of Famer. His contributions to the team’s championship legacy may have only been surpassed by the deep and lasting impact that he had in the community. The thoughts and sympathies of the entire Celtics organization are with the White family.
Boston will likely make a video tribute to White in some fashion during an upcoming home game at TD Garden to honor him.
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