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Former Washington Bullets center, longtime general manager Bob Ferry dies at 84

Longtime Washington Bullets general manager and center Bob Ferry, who led the organization to its only title, died on Wednesday, the team announced.

He was 84.

Ferry played for the Bullets for five seasons at the end of his career when they were still in Baltimore, and then took over as the general manager in 1973 when they moved to Washington.

Ferry spent 17 years as the team’s general manager and won the NBA Finals in 1978. He compiled 700 wins and 13 playoff appearances during his time in the front office, and was named the NBA Executive of the Year in 1979 and in 1982. He’s one of just four general managers in NBA history to do all of those things and win a title, along with R.C. Buford, Jerry West and Jerry Krause.

Ferry was selected No. 7 overall in 1959 by the St. Louis Hawks, where he spent his rookie season. He then spent his next four seasons with the Detroit Pistons before his stint in Baltimore to wrap up his career. Ferry retired in 1969, and averaged 9.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.

After his time working in the Bullets’ front office, Ferry worked for numerous teams as a scout for 25 years.

His son, Danny, also played in the NBA for 13 seasons and served as the general manager for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks and New Orleans Pelicans.

"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, via ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. "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."