Gone in 2025: Members of the NBA family who passed away last year

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It’s always heartbreaking when the NBA loses members of its extended family, and sadly, 2025 was no different.

From Barry Kramer to Elden Campbell, below are some of the players, coaches, and owners who passed away in 2025.

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Barry Kramer

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November 10, 1942 - January 4, 2025 (aged 82)

Played one season with the Warriors and Knicks, and another in the ABA with the Nets. He was also a jurist and attorney.

Gus Williams

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October 10, 1953 - January 15, 2025 (aged 71)

NBA champion in 1979 with the Seattle SuperSonics. Two-time All-Star.

George Kalinsky

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April 14, 1936 - January 16, 2025 (aged 88)

Official photographer for Madison Square Garden from 1966 until his death.

Harold Katz

 Philadelphia 76ers owner Harold Katz watching training camp at Franklin & Marshall College. Lancaster, PA 10/1/1982--10/31/1982 CREDIT: Manny Millan (Photo by Manny Millan /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

Basketball: Philadelphia 76ers owner Harold Katz watching training camp at Franklin & Marshall College. Lancaster, PA 10/1/1982--10/31/1982 CREDIT: Manny Millan (Photo by Manny Millan /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

May 5, 1937 - January 25, 2025 (aged 87)

Philadelphia 76ers owner from 1981 until 1996.

John Shumate

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April 6, 1952 - February 3, 2025 (aged 72)

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Played for six NBA teams in five seasons.

Gary Phillips

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NBA champion in 1962 with the Boston Celtics, then played four seasons with the San Francisco Warriors.

Junior Bridgeman

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September 17, 1953 - March 11, 2025 (aged 71)

Milwaukee retired his No. 2 jersey. Became a successful businessman.

Oliver Miller

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April 6, 1970 - March 12, 2025 (aged 54)

Drafted by Phoenix in 1992, he played professional basketball until 2010 across the United States, Poland, Puerto Rico, and China.

Slick Watts

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July 22, 1951 - March 15, 2025 (aged 73)

Played six NBA seasons. He was the assists and steals leader in 1976.

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Dikembe Mutombo

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June 25, 1966 - September 30, 2024 (aged 58)

Hall of Famer, four-time Defensive Player of the Year, three-time blocks leader, two-time rebounding leader, and eight-time All-Star.

Dick Barnett

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October 2, 1936 - April 27, 2025 (aged 88)

Two-time NBA champion with the New York Knicks (1971 and 1973), All-Star in 1968.

David Greenwood

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May 27, 1957 - June 8, 2025 (aged 68)

NBA champion in 1990 with the Detroit Pistons.

Frank Layden

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January 5, 1932 - July 9, 2025 (aged 93)

Head coach of the Utah Jazz from 1981 until 1988. NBA Coach of the Year in 1984.

Ryan Reid

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October 30, 1986 - July 9, 2025 (aged 38)

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Played five games during the 2011-12 season with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Larry Jones

September 22, 1941 - August 16, 2025 (aged 83)

Played two seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Kim Hughes

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June 4, 1952 - August 29, 2025 (aged 73)

Played five NBA seasons with the Nets, Nuggets and Cavaliers. Served as an assistant coach for the Nuggets, Clippers, and Trail Blazers.

Richie Adubato

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November 23, 1937 - November 6, 2025 (aged 87)

He served as head coach for the Detroit Pistons, Dallas Mavericks, and Orlando Magic, and also two WNBA teams (New York Liberty and Washington Mystics).

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Lenny Wilkens

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October 28, 1937 - November 9, 2025 (aged 88)

Hall of Famer as both a player and a coach. NBA champion in 1979 with the Seattle SuperSonics. Nine-time All-Star. Seattle retired his No. 19 jersey.

Sugar Ray Richardson

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April 11, 1955 - November 11, 2025 (aged 70)

Played eight NBA seasons. Four-time All-Star, three-time steals leader, and NBA assist leader in 1980.

Rodney Rogers

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June 20, 1971 - November 21, 2025 (aged 54)

Played 12 NBA seasons. Sixth Man of the Year in 2000 with the Phoenix Suns.

Elden Campbell

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July 23, 1968 - December 1, 2025 (aged 57)

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Played nine of his 15 NBA seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. NBA champion in 2004 with the Detroit Pistons.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Gone in 2025: Members of the NBA family who passed away last year

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