Former player and longtime general manager Bob Ferry has died at the age of 84, Washington Wizards head coach Wes Unseld Jr. announced Wednesday.
“Bob and his family are dear to my parents, the Unseld family, to the Wizards organization, and we just want to wish him and his family the best, and keep them in our thoughts and prayers,” Wizards coach Wes Unseld Jr. said Wednesday. “I know how difficult this time is. I just want to let them know we’re thinking about them, we care for them and we’ll be there for them.”
Ferry was a two-time executive of the year (1978-79, 1981-82) who led the then-Washington Bullets to the 1978 NBA title, one of three NBA Finals under his guidance. He led the Bullets to the playoffs 13 times in 17 seasons as GM.
Our thoughts are with the family of franchise legend Bob Ferry following his passing.
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) October 27, 2021
Ferry played five seasons with the organization and spent 17 years as its general manager, winning NBA Executive of the Year twice and a championship in 1978. pic.twitter.com/5fVjGRYBJU
Ferry is also the father of former Duke standout, NBA player and executive Danny Ferry.
The elder Ferry was the Bullets’ GM from 1973-1990, becoming the second general manager to hire two different Black coaches — K.C. Jones (1973) and Wes Unseld (1988).
Ferry was drafted No. 7 overall in the 1959 draft by the St. Louis Hawks. He averaged 9.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in 10 seasons with the Hawks (1959-60), Detroit Pistons (1960-64) and Baltimore Bullets (1964-69).
