Nate Thurmond when he played for Bowling Green State University with coach Harold Anderson.
BLADE
Nate Thurmond smashed this ball out of a Miami players hands as he attempted a jump shot on Dec. 12, 1962
BLADE
On March 11, 1963, Bowling Green State University center Nate Thurmond tips the ball out of bounds over Notre Dame center Larry Jesewitz.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Nate Thurmond when he played for BGSU.
BLADE
Keith Erickson of the Los Angeles Lakers, right, tries to get the ball but Nate Thurmond of the San Francisco Warriors, center, has complete control. At left is Wilt Chamberlain.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
In this March 31, 1971, file photo, Milwaukee Bucks center Lew Alcindor, left, defends against San Francsico Warriors center Nate Thurmond during a game at Madison, Wis.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
In this March 30, 1973, photo, Nate Thurmond of the Golden State Warriors, left, looks back at Kareem Abdul-Jabbar of the Milwaukee Bucks.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
On May 9, 1976, Cleveland's 6-foot-11 center Nate Thurmond gets altitude to score against Boston's Charlie Scott, left, and Dave Cowens.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Nate Thurmond in 2001.
BLADE
In this Dec. 22, 2002, photo, Golden State Warriors basketball great Nate Thurmond addresses a crowd about cancer awareness.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
NBA Hall of Fame member Nate Thurmond outside his downtown San Francisco restaurant Big Nate's Barbeque in 2005.
SPECIAL TO BLADE/RON LEWIS
NBA Hall of Fame member Nate Thurmond points out a photograph with himself and other Cleveland Cavaliers at his downtown San Francisco restaurant Big Nate's Barbeque in 2005.
SPECIAL TO BLADE/RON LEWIS
BGSU All-Anderson Team member Nate Thurmond speaks after a game in 2011.
BLADE/LORI KING
BGSU president Carol Cartwright and former basketball player Nate Thurmond joke about their size difference after a game in 2011.
BLADE/LORI KING
Ellen Anderson, the daughter of former BGSU coach and Anderson Arena namesake Harold Anderson, walks off the court with former basketball player Nate Thurmond in 2011.
BLADE/LORI KING
In this March 19, 2012, photo, former Golden State Warriors player Nate Thurmond waves during a halftime ceremony in Oakland, Calif.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
In this May 22, 2012, photo, Golden State Warriors great Nate Thurmond waves during an announcement in San Francisco.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
