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Paul Westphal, the longtime Phoenix player and coach known lovingly as “Westy,” passed away on Saturday at age 70 after a battle with brain cancer.
Few names were more synonymous with Suns basketball than Westphal, and his sterling reputation was confirmed when tributes from around the Valley and the broader NBA world began pouring in after the announcement and confirmation from the Suns around midday.
“There may be just a handful of people who have as much influence and significance on the history of the Phoenix Suns,” Jerry Colangelo said in a statement released by the Suns. “All he accomplished as a player and as a coach. Off the court, he was a gentleman, a family man, great moral character. He represented the Suns the way you want every player to represent your franchise.”