The Los Angeles Lakers lost another member of the family with five-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer Slater Martin passing away at 86 years-old.
Martin was admitted to a nursing facility in Houston, Texas this past Monday due to a sudden illness. After battling for his life over the past few days, Martin succumbs to the undisclosed illness on Thursday while at the facility.
As a member of the Minneapolis Lakers, Martin won four NBA titles playing alongside legendary center George Mikan. After the seven-year stint with the Lakers from 1949 to 1956, Martin continued his success in the league winning a fifth title with the St. Louis Hawks in 1958.
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The 5’10” guard out of Texas was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame back into 1982 and left a lasting legacy with the Lakers franchise. Martin appeared in seven All-Star games while averaging 9.8 point and 4.2 assists per game in 11 seasons.
Along with a very successful career as a player, Martin also took a shot at coaching the Hawks (1957) and Houston Mavericks (1967-1969). The Hall of Famer called it a career after his last season with the Mavs.
In 2009, Martin had his No. 15 jersey retired by the University of Texas. The five-time NBA champion was only the second of three players in school history to have his jersey retired along with T.J. Ford (No. 11) and Kevin Durant (No. 35).
The former Laker guard is survived by his sons Jim and Slater Jr.
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In case you missed it: Kobe talks A-Rod, growing up in a family of “a-holes.”
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