Frank Hamblen, the former head and assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, has died at 70, according to a statement from the team.
Hamblen died Saturday morning in Del Mar, California, a statement from the Lakers said. What led to his death was unknown.
"Frank Hamblen was a great coach and a good friend," Lakers Head Coach Luke Walton said in a statement. "He was not only beloved by everyone in the Lakers organization but by those in the NBA community as well.
"Frank coached me as a rookie and in addition to all I learned from him on the court, he also emphasized how important it was to enjoy life off the court as well, Walton said. "My thoughts and prayers go out to Frank’s family."
During his decadeslong career as a coach, Hamblen was a part of the Lakers' coaching staff from 1999 to 2011. He served as assistant coach under Phil Jackson from 1999 to 2004, and from 2005 to 2011, the Lakers noted. He stepped up as head coach in 2005.
Hamblen helped the team earn five NBA championships during his time as a coach.
Former Laker Kobe Bryant remembered Hamblen on Twitter Saturday, thanking him for his understanding of basketball, patience and for challenging him to defend at "the highest level."
He was a coach for the NBA and the ABA for 42 years. In addition to his time with the Lakers, Hamblen coached with the Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, Kansas City/Sacramento Kings, Denver Rockets and San Diego/Houston Rockets.
Hamblen was born in Terre Haute, Indiana on April 16, 1947, the statement read. He "attended Garfield High School where he was recognized as one of the top 12 high school players in Indiana before attending Syracuse University," and was inducted into the Indiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.
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