Former American basketball player and coach Paul Westphal, member of the NBA Hall of Fame, has died at age 70, has confirmed journalist and friend Mike Lupica. Lupica announced in August that Westphal had a glioblastoma, a rapidly growing cancerous tumor in the brain.
As a professional, Westphal joined the NBA after being selected in the first round by the Boston Celtics. Won a title in his sophomore year and emerged as one of Boston’s most valuable reserves in his third season before heading to Phoenix. in exchange for future Hall of Famer Charlie Scott.
With the Suns, Westphal became a star, being part of three All NBA teams and participating in four All Star. Later, he was traded for another future Hall of Famer, Dennis Johnson from Seattle, and played for the SuperSonics. During his coaching career, he led the Suns to the NBA Finals.
Westphal’s coaching career began at small colleges in Arizona, first in 1985 at Southwestern Baptist (now Arizona Christian University), and after a stint at Grand Canyon College, which he led to victory in the 1988 NAIA national championship in his second season. He became an assistant to the Suns during the 1988-89 season before taking over as head coach in 1992; that season led Phoenix to the 1993 NBA Finals.
Westphal would return to varsity coach with Pepperdine in 2001. In five seasons at Malibu College, he led them to one appearance in the NCAA Tournament. After his coaching career, Westphal became a commentator for Fox Sports West and carried Prime Ticket coverage of the Lakers and Clippers games.
