He died Jan. 20 in a New York Metropolis hospital, the New York Metropolis Workplace of the Chief Medical Examiner instructed The Related Press. The trigger was not instantly obtainable.
The 6-foot-6 ahead spent 4 seasons with the Knicks from 1972-76, averaging 4.8 factors and three.5 rebounds. He additionally performed abroad.
The Knicks acknowledged Wingo’s dying Monday and tweeted an announcement from former Knicks star and present broadcaster Walt Frazier, who remembered Wingo as “a really distinctive particular person.”
The NBA Household mourns the lack of Harthorne Wingo (1947-2021), a member of New York Knicks 1973 NBA championship te… https://t.co/a9HQpvYVcZ
— NBA Historical past (@NBAHistory) 1611631152000
“He was effervescent, gregarious, with an infectious character not solely endearing to his teammates however the Knicks Nation as properly,” Frazier stated.
Aside from Frazier, Wingo performed on a championship group with the likes of Willis Reed, Earl Monroe, Invoice Bradley, Dave DeBusschere, Jerry Lucas, Dick Barnett and Phil Jackson.
Wingo was from Tryon, a city in Polk County close to the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. He performed in junior school earlier than making his approach to New York and incomes a repute as an elite playground participant on the famed Rucker Park.
Sending our deepest sympathies to the household & pals of Harthorne Wingo. The 1972-73 NBA Champion has handed aw… https://t.co/w6ell459xZ
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) 1611604200000
As a Knick, he might not have performed a lot however he received over Madison Sq. Backyard followers. They’d chant for Wingo to come back off the bench, delighting within the lyrical ring of his identify, as if they’d simply accomplished a successful Bingo card.
The Beastie Boys referenced Wingo’s identify in a rap lyric to the tune “Lay It On Me” greater than a decade after Wingo’s Knicks profession had ended.
