Willis Reed and other members of the NBA family gone in 2023

Ford, nicknamed the Mad Bomber, played most of his career with the Detroit Pistons before winning the 1981 title with the Boston Celtics. He’s considered the first player to hit a three-point shot in NBA history. Ford also coached the Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks and LA Clippers in the 90s. Ford died on January 17. He was 74.

Nicknamed 'The Schonz', Schonely was the play-by-play announcer for the Portland Trail Blazers for almost three decades. Schonely died on January 21. He was 93.

McCombs was a businessman and onetime owner of the San Antonio Spurs and the Denver Nuggets. He died on February 19. He was 95.

Spencer started his NBA career with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 1990. The seven-feet center later played for the Utah Jazz, reaching the Western Conference Finals in 1996 vs. the Seattle SuperSonics. During his 12 NBA seasons, Spencer also played for the Orlando Magic, Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks. Spencer died on March 12. He was 55.

Reed, a two-time Finals MVP and seven-time All-Star, is widely considered one of the greatest Knicks ever. The big man averaged 18.7 points and 12.9 rebounds in 10 seasons and he ranks No. 61 in our '77 greatest NBA players ever' list. Reed died on March 21. He was 80.

McCarter played the 1970 NBA Finals with the Los Angeles Lakers. He died on April 18 at age 76.

Blanks played three NBA seasons with the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves before playing several years in Europe. Blanks later became an exec and scout for the Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, and San Antonio Spurs. Blanks died on May 3. He was 56.

Nick, the son of Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, was a longtime good luck charm for the franchise. Gilbert died on May 6. He was 26.

Bernhardt was an NBA referee for 17 seasons from 1988 to 2006. Bernhardt died on May 21. He was 64.

The Iowa State Hall-Of-Famer spent his basketball career in Italy and Australia but also played the 1999-2000 season with the Chicago Bulls. Willoughby died on July 19. He was 49.

The 6-foot-8 center played seven years in the NBA, averaging 11.6 points and 12.3 rebounds with the Phoenix Suns during the 1968-69 season. Wilson died on July 29. He was 81.

Von Nieda played the 1949-50 season with the Tri-Cities Blackhawks and the Baltimore Bullets. He died on September 6. He was 101.

Hunter played two years in the NBA with the Boston Celtics and the Orlando Magic before spending the rest of his career in Europe, Puerto Rico and Uruguay. He died on September 12. He was 42.

Brendan, the father of current Nuggets' head coach Michael Malone, coached the Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers, and was also an assistant coach for many other NBA teams. He died on October 10. He was 88.

Bingo Smith played 10 of his 11 NBA seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 13.2 points over 720 games. He died on October 26. He was 77.

Although the NCAA legend didn't coach any NBA team, some of his players and assistant coaches ended up coaching in the League: Isiah Thomas, Randy Wittman, Mike Woodson, and more. The Hall-Of-Famer coach died on November 1. He was 83.

'Jumpin' Johnny was a four-time NBA All-Star and averaged 11.6 points and 8.6 rebounds in 14 seasons. He died on November 16. He was 89.

The Hall-Of-Famer won two ABA titles with the Indiana Pacers and averaged 17.2 points and 9.8 rebounds in seven NBA seasons. The three-time NBA All-Star died on December 14. He was 73.

Montross won the NCAA championship with North Carolina in 1993 and played eight NBA seasons. He died on December 17. He was 52.

Herb Kohl was the Milwaukee Bucks owner from 1985 to 2014. He died on December 27. He was 88.