The NBA announced the death of Bob Lanier, an eight-time All-Star and member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, on Tuesday(May 10). He was 73 years old.

Bob Lanier cause of death: What happened to Bob Lanier?

Lanier, who played over a decade in the NBA, died after a brief illness, surrounded by family, according to reliable sources. He may as well have died of old age.

Despite his 6-foot-11 height, he played center with swift movements, according to his NBA biography. In 1992, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame after retiring decades ago.

His enormous influence on the NBA was also visible during his tenure as President of the National Basketball Players Association, where he was instrumental in negotiating a game-changing collective bargaining agreement.

Bob Lanier was a Hall of Famer and one of the most talented centers in the world of NBA, However, his immense impact on the league extended far beyond what he accomplished on the field of play.

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