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Obituary: Wes Unseld

WASHINGTON (AP) — Wes Unseld was an undersized NBA center known more for his bruising picks, tenacious rebounding and perfectly placed outlet passes than any points he produced.

He thrived in his role as a workmanlike leader.

Unseld began his pro career as a rookie MVP and led Washington to its only NBA championship. Chosen one of the 50 greatest players in league history, he died Tuesday after “lengthy health battles, most recently with pneumonia,” his family said in a statement released by the Wizards. He was 74.

He spent his entire 13-season playing career with the Bullets- Wizards franchise, then was its coach and general manager.

The team was based in Baltimore when he was drafted; he and his wife, Connie, opened Unseld’s’ School in that city in 1978.

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