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NBA -- League mourns the death of ref Greg Willard
By Ryan Medida
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 03 Apr 2013
Greg Willard.
SAN FRANCISCO - The NBA family lost one of its own last Monday when veteran referee Greg Willard passed away after a nearly year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 54.
Willard officiated 1,494 regular season contests and 136 playoffs games. He also called two NBA Finals games. Willard was diagnosed with cancer last season while working the Western Conference finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder. His last officiated game was the pre-season skirmish between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Utah Jazz last October at the Anaheim Center.
"The entire NBA family joins me in mourning the loss of one of our own, Greg Willard," NBA commissioner David Stern said in a statement.
"Greg touched all those with whom he came in contact thanks to his extraordinary spirit, dedication and hard work. As a Finals referee he reached the highest levels of his profession while at the same time demonstrating a strong commitment to his family and his community. Our thoughts are with his wife, Laurie, their children and the rest of the Willard family during this difficult time," the statement added.
Arenas all throughout the NBA will observe moments of silence in Tuesday night's and Wednesday night's games and in Willard's honor all league officials will wear wristbands or patches with Willard's No. 57 for the rest of the season. (RM)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ryan Medida.
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