Chris Ford was a basketball player with the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons who scored the first three-point shot in NBA history.
- Died: January 17, 2023 (Who else died on January 17?)
- Details of death: Died of heart failure at the age of 74.
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Basketball career
Ford played college basketball at Villanova University, making it to the regional semifinals of the 1972 NCAA tournament. He was drafted by the Detroit Pistons later that year. Ford played for the Pistons until 1978, appearing along with his teammates in the 1979 film “The Fish that Saved Pittsburgh.” Traded to the Celtics in 1978, he found a place in the basketball history books the following year. At the October 12, 1979 season opener, Ford made the first three-point shot after the new rule was established. In 1981, he helped the Celtics to victory in the NBA Championship. After retiring from his playing career in 1982, Ford became an assistant coach for the Celtics. He was with them for two more championship wins before being promoted to head coach in 1990. Ford later coach teams including the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers.
Tributes to Chris Ford
Full obituary: Courier Post
