According to a report from the Associated Press, former New York Knicks All-Star Willie Naulls passed away on Thanksgiving due to complications from Churg-Strauss syndrome, which is a rare condition that can restrict blood flow to vital organs. He was 84 years of age.
Though he was born in Dallas, Texas, Naulls spent the majority of his childhood in Southern California, where he earned Mr. Basketball honors at San Pedro High School. He later made his way to UCLA, where he played under one of the best coaches that basketball has ever known in John Wooden. To this day, Naulls' 28 rebounds against Arizona State is still the school's single-game record.
Over the course of three seasons with UCLA, Naulls averaged 15.5 points and 11.4 rebounds.
After playing for the Bruins from 1954-56, Naulls was taken with the ninth overall pick in the NBA draft by the (then) St. Louis Hawks. The 6-6 forward wasn't with St. Louis long, though, as he was traded to the Knicks after just 19 games.
With the Knicks, Naulls became the first African-American to be named a captain of a pro team in a major American sport. He averaged a double-double (19.3 points and 10.7 rebounds) during his seven-year tenure with the Knicks.
Naulls spent his final three seasons in the NBA with the Boston Celtics, where he won three championships (1964, ’65 and ’66). Serving as a replacement starter for Tommy Heinshohn in December of 1964, Naulls joined Bill Russell, K.C. Jones, Sam Jones and Tom Sanders as the first all-black lineup in the history of integrated pro sports.
Naulls is survived by his wife, Anne Van de Water Naulls; children Lisa, Shannon, Joanh and Malaika; and six grandchildren.
Join us in sending condolences to the Naulls family.
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