WASHINGTON -- Pumanaw na si Moses Malone, ang American basketball Hall of Famer at three-time NBA Most Valuable Player, dahil sa atake sa puso sa edad na 60-anyos.
Naglaro si Malone, namatay sa isang hotel sa Norfolk, Virginia para sa siyam na professional teams sa kanyang 21-year career.
Tinawag na “Chairman of the Boards” dahil sa kanyang rebounding skills at “Big Mo” dahil sa kanyang taas na 6-foot-10 (2.08m), pinamunuan ni Malone ang 1982-83 Philadelphia 76ers sa NBA title sa kanyang tanging championship campaign.
“We are stunned and deeply saddened by the passing of Hall of Famer Moses Malone, an NBA legend gone far too soon,” sabi ni NBA commissioner Adam Silver. “Known to his legions of fans as the ‘Chairman of the Boards,’ Moses competed with intensity every time he stepped on the court.”
Nagtala ang Sixers ng 12-1 sa playoffs at natalo sa Milwaukee sa Eastern Conference finals kung saan hinirang si Malone bilang NBA Finals MVP.
“It is difficult to express what his contributions to this organization -- both as a friend and player -- have meant to us, the city of Philadelphia and his faithful fans,” sabi ni 76ers chief executive Scott O’Neil.
Umiskor si Malone ng 29,580 points at humaltak ng 17,834 rebounds sa kanyang pro career.
Nagtala siya ng mga averages na 20.3 points at 12.3 rebounds a game at nailuklok sa Basketball Hall of Fame noong 2001.