Nate Thurmond

Nate Thurmond is a former basketball player who dedicated fourteen years of his life to the NFL. Nate Thurmond has also represented the Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, and Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA.

Nate, a powerful power forward, has previously been named to the NBA All-Star team seven times.

In addition, he is the only player in NBA history to record a quadruple-double in a single game.

Early Years and Career

Nate Thurmond was born on July 25, 1941, in Akron, Ohio, to Andrew and Leala Thurmond.

Ben Thurmond, his brother, was also by his side.

Nate was a chubby kid from the start. He was an African-American of black ethnicity.

He attended Central High School in Akron, where he played basketball with NBA legend Gus Johnson.

Ohio State offered Nate a scholarship to play backup quarterback to Jerry Lucas, a high school rival.

However, he declined the offer since he did not want to be a backup. Instead, he chose Bowling Green to play college basketball.

When it came to sore rebounds, Nate was a strong contender. He was the president of the Mid-American Conference.

During all three of his varsity seasons, he led the team in rebounds.

In 1963, The Sporting News named him a first-team All-American.

He also led his team to the NCAA tournament, where he set a new college record with 31 rebounds.

Net Worth

When he was alive, Nate Thurmond had a net worth of $10 million.

Nate was lightning fast, with long arms, explosive athleticism, good blocking ability, and gritty rebounding.

From every perspective, he nailed it.

He has undoubtedly achieved the pinnacles of accomplishment in his more than four decades as a player and ambassador.

Facts of Nate Thurmond

Professional Career

Warriors of San Francisco/Golden State

When Nate Thurmond was picked in the NBA draft in 1963, he joined the Golden State Warriors.

Not to mention the fact that Nate was selected third overall in the first round. As a rookie, he got to play a supporting role alongside Hall of Fame center Wilt Chamberlain.

In 1964, he was also named to the NBA All-Rookie Team.

In his second season, Nate established himself as a highly charismatic starting center for the Warriors.

We guess breaking rebound records became his forte because he established the record for rebounds in a quarter with 18 during his regular-season second season.

He finished second in the MVP voting for the 1966-67 season, behind Chamberlian.

Nate was also a member of the NBA All-Star Game seven times. He not only excelled at rebounds, but he was also a ferocious defender.

He was dubbed the toughest defender Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has ever faced in his professional career by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Bob Rule, an NBA All-Star big, recalls Nate blocking all six of his jumpers on seven attempts during their first meeting.

Bulls of Chicago

In 1974, Thurmond was traded to the Chicago Bulls to replace Clifford Ray. The Bull had come to the idea that they needed a powerful starting center, which prompted them to hire him.

He had 22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists, and 12 blocked shots in his first game with the Bulls against the Atlanta Hawks.

And it was at that point that he became the first player in NBA history to record a quadruple double.

Cavaliers of Cleveland

On November 27, Nate was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Steve Patterson and Eric Fernsten.

Death and Retirement

Nate returned to San Francisco after retiring, where he resided with his wife Marci and son Adam.

He also put his hands-on experience to good use by opening Big Nate’s BBQ, which he sold after 20 years.

According to sources, the Chase Center, which serves as the home of the Golden State Warriors, has a Big Nate’s BBQ kiosk with dishes honoring his NBA legacy.

The Warriors organization also dubbed Nate a “Warriors Legend & Ambassador.”

Remembered for more than basketball

After battling Leukemia, he passed away on July 16, 2016, leaving us with large footprints in our hearts.

It had just been nine days since his 75th birthday. At Providence Baptist Church, a memorial service was held.

It simply rendered all of his fans, family, and loved ones dumbfounded. “He was just sort of a simple, average man,” Chris Mullin, a former Warrior, said outside the chapel. He’s just someone that makes you feel nice to be around.”

Mullin, Steve Kerr, Al Attles, Tom Meschery, and former San Francisco mayor Willie Brown were among those honored at the monument.

According to the sources, Nate chose this service a few months before he died. From speakers to music, he had everything set out.

To keep the mood light, songs like “If Nothing Else, Thank You,” “Amazing Grace,” and “You’ve Been So Faithful” were played.

Larry Harper, a representative for the Good Tidings Foundation, recalls Nate’s assistance in the construction of courts for low-income neighborhoods.

Because he was such a kind soul, the organization has established a Nate Thurmond Award for community service.

God provided him with a large body that was designed not only for basketball but also to accommodate his massive heart

Nate leaves behind his wife Marci, son Adam, and nieces and nephews.

One of his nieces, Melissa Najda, spoke on behalf of the entire family and finished the farewell ceremony with Nate’s words, which brought tears to her eyes.

Nate won everyone’s hearts on the court with his aggressive shot blocks and rebounds.

Not only that, but he was a saint.

For more than four decades, as a player and community relations ambassador, he exuded class and dignity.

Our thoughts are with his wife and child. May his family find the strength to overcome their grief.

His legacy will undoubtedly go on in perpetuity.

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Social Media Presence

We were unable to locate any of his legitimate social media accounts.

Nate was not on social media at the time of his death.

There is a Twitter account with his name on it, but it does not appear to be genuine.

As a result, we are still unsure whether or not it is his account.

Nate will always be alive in our hearts, regardless of whether he remained active on social media or not.