For many NBA fans, the death of beloved 76ers player Moses Malone came as a shock.
On Sept. 13, Malone was found in his room in Norfolk, Va and was pronounced dead. His, death was cause of cardiovascular disease.
In his prime, Malone was a force to be reckoned with. In his 19 seasons as a professional, Malone was one of the best rebounders of his time. Earning positions on the Kings, Rockets and 76ers.
“His most famous line was ‘Fo Fo Fo’, prediction of 3 straight sweeps of his Sixers over all playoff teams,” Rick Worley, sports enthusiast, said.
Malone was all of six feet tall but was
a beast on the court. Going to 11 all-star games, Malone was beloved by all NBA fans.
“[He] was the first player to jump from high school to the NBA which paved the way for other future basketball players such as Kobe, LeBron and Kevin Garnett,” Kane McGovern, junior shooting guard, said.
His constant try-hard attitude gave him his edge and eventually brought him fame. Malone is someone who coaches tell their players to be like. He was an athlete that strove for greatness not for the glory of it but for the sheer passion of the game.
Malone was not only loved by fans, but by fellow players as well.
“I haven’t called him Moses since 1985. Every time I saw him I called him dad,” Charles Barkley, a fellow Sixers teammate, told the New York Times.
He was a groundbreaking athlete, known for many firsts in the world of professional basketball.
His legacy will live on to include multiple champion- ships, playoff runs and beloved fans.