Former NBA All-Star Lacey dies at 66

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Sam Lacey, a former NBA All-Star who made Kansas City his home in recent years after spending most of career with the Kansas City Kings, has died. He was 66.

Lacey spent 11 of his 13 NBA seasons with the Kings organization. He was drafted fifth overall by Cincinnati in 1970 and had his best seasons after the franchise relocated to Kansas City in 1972.

He averaged a double-double in his first six years, and in 1975, Lacey, a 6-foot-10 center, was selected to the All-Star team. That season, he averaged 11.5 points, 14.2 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 5.3 assists.

He was with the Kings through their best seasons, including the 1979 team that won the Midwest Division, and the 1981 team that reached the Western Conference finals before losing to Houston.

Kansas City Star