The NBA has seen many legends come and go but Kobe Bryant had a larger impact on the world than most of them. He inspired people around him to work harder and live life to the fullest. There was never a dull moment when Kobe was on the basketball court. The Black Mamba always kept things competitive and made his opponents run for their money.
Unfortunately, the Los Angeles Lakers legend lost his life on January 26, 2020. His death was a result of a fatal helicopter crash. Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others were victims of the crash. Kobe was 41 years old and a few years into retirement. The untimely passing of the NBA legend flipped the world upside down. People are still affected by it today.
NBA players who died at a young age
Just like Bryant, the NBA lost a few other individuals very early. This proves how unpredictable life can be. At one moment, things could be going on a great path and the next moment could bring sorrow and pain along with it. Here are a few NBA players who passed away at an early age.
1. Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt Chamberlain is one of the godfathers of the sport of basketball. The NBA changed several rules because of how Wilt influenced how the game worked. His career spanned only 14 seasons, but within that time frame, he became one of the league’s scoring leaders. He won several accolades along the way as well.
There’s been 34 players to score 60+ in the history of the NBA. Here’s every one of those players alongside their career-high:
Wilt Chamberlain (100)
Kobe Bryant (81)
David Thompson (73)
Damian Lillard (71)
Elgin Baylor (71)
David Robinson (71)
Donovan Mitchell (71)
Devin Booker… pic.twitter.com/phJ5YEUIWz— CTRL the Narrative (@ctrlnarrative) September 24, 2023
He was famous for scoring 100 points in a game and averaging 50.4 ppg during the 1961-62 season. Unfortunately, Wilt passed away when he was 63 years old. Sources claim that he died after suffering from congestive heart failure.
2. Pete Maravich
“Pistol” Pete Maravich was someone who deeply influenced the game of basketball as well. He was a player known for being flashy on the court. Maravich could swiftly dribble past defenders. But he was also well known for his ability to score from anywhere on the court. Pete’s playing style was well ahead of its time, which is what made him unique as well.
Maravich averaged 24.2 points throughout his career. However, his career average would’ve been much higher if the three-point line hadn’t only introduced until his final year in the NBA. The Hall of Famer passed away at the age of 40. He suffered from a heart attack during a game of pick-up basketball.
3. Manute Bol
Manute Bol was an NBA spectacle. There weren’t too many players who stood as tall as him. He reached a staggering height of 7’7″ but was very lean. But his height played a major role in his career. He retired second on the all-time regular season blocks recorded with 2,086.
No player in NBA history is taller than Manute Bol. Over the course of his career, the 7ft 7in South Sudanese blocked more shots than he scored points, making him the only NBA player ever to do so. pic.twitter.com/zIeIxVbJfG
— H i s t o r y V i l l e (@HistoryVille) September 27, 2023
Bol used most of his career earnings to provide for the people of his community in Sudan. Unfortunately, the legend lost his life at the age of 47 due to kidney failure. His son, Bol Bol currently plays for the Phoenix Suns.
4. Reggie Lewis
During the late 80s and early 90s, the Boston Celtics were a force to reckon with. Legends such as Larry Bird were dominating the NBA and the Celtics were one of the biggest teams of the century. Not all heroes wear capes, and Reggie Lewis (27) was set to take over the Celtics after Bird.
He passed away in 1993 due to a structural heart defect. Lewis was coming off a great individual season in 1992 as he averaged 20.8 points per game to earn an All-Star selection.
5. Len Bias
Len Bias was an athlete the NBA never got to see play on the court. During the 80s, the cocaine usage rate had spiked, and quite a few athletes were drug abusers. Bias was one of the best basketball players out of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Unfortunately, he passed away from a cocaine overdose.
Len was drafted by the Celtics in 1986. He was set to join Larry Bird, Robert Parish, and Kevin McHale in their journey to accumulate more NBA championships. However, his death brought in stricter anti-drug policies in the NCAA.