Hall of Famer Wes Unseld dies at 74

Wes Unseld, who helped lead the Washington Bullets to an NBA title as a player and later coached and served as general manager of the franchise, died Monday at 74, the team announced.

Unseld, a 6-foot-7 center, was the second overall pick in the 1968 draft and won both MVP and Rookie of the Year in 1968-69 - the last NBA player to do so. He was named Finals MVP in 1978 when Washington won its last NBA championship.

He coached the Bullets from 1988-94 and became GM in 1996. The team changed its name to the Wizards in 1997, and Unseld ran basketball operations until 2003.

"Wes Unseld was one of the most consequential players of his era. An NBA MVP and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, Wes elevated the game by mastering the fundamentals," commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. "His competitive drive and selfless approach made him a beloved teammate, a respected opponent, and a cornerstone of the Washington Wizards franchise."

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love was the godson of Unseld, who was once a teammate of Love's father, Stan. Love's middle name, Wesley, is a tribute to Unseld.