LeRoy Ellis, the former first round pick (8th pick overall) of the 1962 NBA Draft has passed away at the age of 72 according to Jason Quick of The Oregonian.
After being drafted by the Lakers, Ellis played 14 NBA seasons, and was most notably Wilt Chamberlain’s backup center on Lakers during the 1971-1972 season, in which they won the NBA championship. That particular Lakers squad also won an NBA-record 33 consecutive games and finished 69-13.
Ellis was a member of the Lakers from 1962-1968 before joining the Baltimore Bullets and Portland Trail Blazers. Ellis rejoined Los Angeles in 1971, staying to win the championship with the Lakers.
Ellis passed away Saturday evening after a battle with cancer.