His legacy is one of passion, fierce competitiveness, a love of basketball and selfless devotion to others.
The Bulls were 24-58 the next season when after 13 games Thurmond was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, his home state team.
Wilt was traded back to Philadelphia and Thurmond became a seven-time All-Star, five times all-defense, and that was at a time with the likes of Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Willis Reed, Wes Unseld, Bob Lanier and Abdul-Jabbar playing center.