Hall of famer Paul Westphal dies at age 70

Former NBA head coach and Naismith Hall of Fame player Paul Westphal has passed away after a battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.

Westphal enjoyed a storied career in the NBA, both as a player and as a coach. He played in the NBA from 1972 to 1984 and won an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics in 1974.

During his career as a player, Paul Westphal played for the Phoenix Suns, Seattle SuperSonics, and the New York Knicks. He was a five-time All-Star selection and earned three All-NBA First Team selections and one Second Team honor.

After his playing career ended, Paul Westphal began coaching. He coached college basketball for Southwestern Baptist Bible College (now Arizona Christian University), Grand Canyon University, and Pepperdine University. He also served as head coach of the Phoenix Suns, the Seattle SuperSonics, and the Sacramento Kings in the NBA. Westphal coached the Suns to the NBA Finals in 1993.

Paul Westphal was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.