Donate at the family's request in memory of Willis Reed
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to benefit the Department of Athletics by using the form below.
Born on June 25, 1942, in Hico, Louisiana, Willis Reed earned a basketball scholarship to Grambling College (now Grambling State University) in 1960. While at GSU, he dazzled fans and dominated the court, closing his collegiate career with 2,280 career points where he led the Tigers to an NAIA National Championship in 1961.
During his illustrious professional career, Reed won two NBA Championships, earned two NBA Finals MVP awards, was named the NBA’s MVP in 1970, was 7x NBA All-Star, accumulated one NBA All-Star game MVP award, and was a 5x All-NBA selection. Reed also earned one NBA All-Defensive Team recognition and was selected to NBA’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Team. His No. 19 jersey was also retired by the New York Knicks.
Upon his retirement from the NBA in 1974, Reed embarked on a coaching and administrative career beginning in 1977 when he became the head coach of the Knicks. His leadership and influence benefitted other organizations including the Creighton University men’s basketball program (1981-85), and St. John’s University.
Upon joining the New Jersey Nets as head coach in 1988, he was hired as the general manager and vice president of basketball operations a year later, a position he held until 1996 when he was promoted to senior vice president of basketball operations. During his tenure, he helped craft New Jersey into a title contender.
Reed was honored by Grambling State in 2022 when he became the first basketball player in school history to have their jersey retired. The court inside the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center was also named in his honor.
If you prefer to give by check, they can be made payable to the Grambling University Foundation with Willis Reed Memorial Fund in the memo line and mailed to: P.O. Box 587, Grambling, LA 71245.