Reports surfaced early Sunday morning of sad news in Virginia that former Houston Rockets center and NBA Hall of Famer Moses Malone passed away in his sleep on Sunday.
Malone, 60, spent six seasons with the Rockets and won the first two of his three NBA most valuable player awards during those six outstanding years.
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During the 1980-81 season, Malone helped lead the Rockets to their first appearance in the NBA Finals.
He averaged 22 points and 17 rebounds per game during the Rockets series loss in six games against the Boston Celtics.
His familiar number 24 jersey hangs in the rafters at Toyota Center among the five numbers that have been retired. The Rockets retired his jersey on April 19, 1998.
Malone played 21 seasons of professional basketball, beginning at age 19 in the ABA with the Utah Stars.
After his time in Houston, Malone spent four seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers where he won the NBA championship in the 1983.
He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001.
The Houston Rockets released the following statement:
"Everyone in the organization is deeply saddened by the passing of Moses Malone. Moses was a true gentleman and one of the great Rockets - and greatest NBA players - of all time. He will be forever missed. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends."