Greg Ballard, who starred at Oregon and went on to play a key role on the Washington Bullets teams of the early 1980s, has died at age 61 after a battle with cancer.
His death was first reported by the Portland Tribune , which chronicled Ballard's fight against Stage IV prostate cancer in April. That story said Ballard had been diagnosed four years earlier, but he continued to work as an Atlanta-based advance scout for the Wizards.
“I enjoy the work,” Ballard said. “It’s the traveling that makes it hard.”
Ballard was a four-year starter at Oregon and graduated in 1977 as the leading rebounder in school history with 1,114, a mark that still stands.
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We are all deeply saddened by the passing of Greg Ballard and send our thoughts to his family, friends and fans. pic.twitter.com/e5LRnMAAb1
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) November 9, 2016
The Bullets made him the fourth overall pick in the 1977 NBA Draft and he quickly blossomed into an all-around threat in the NBA. He helped Washington to an NBA title in his rookie season and the Bullets reached the Finals the following year, losing to the Seattle SuperSonics in a rematch of the 1978 series. His best season came in 1981-82, when he averaged 18.8 points and 8.0 rebounds in 79 games.
Ballard went on to a long career as an assistant and scout after his playing days.
