Three time NBA champion Paul Silas has passed away at the age of 79.
Silas’s son Stephen, who is currently a coach at the Houston Rockets, made the announcement for the family.
Silas played in the NBA for 16 seasons, earning 5 All-Defense Team selections and two All-Star Team selections. He also won three rings with the Boston Celtics.
“Our heartfelt thoughts are with Stephen and his family during this difficult time,” the Rockets said in a statement.
He also coached several teams around the league, including the Cleveland Cavaliers where he was LeBron James’ first coach.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver shared his condolences via the official NBA account.
“Paul made a huge contribution to the game of basketball and will be sorely missed!” Hall of Fame guard and Los Angeles Lakers great Magic Johnson wrote on Twitter.
“Paul Silas was a giant in basketball circles,” former NBA player Rex Chapman wrote Sunday on Twitter. “A great man. Was fortunate to spend a couple of seasons with Paul when he was an (assistant) coach with the Suns. I don’t know anyone with a bad word to say about him — ever. A sad day.”
